LAKEPORT, Calif. – An educational forum focused on the Affordable Care Act of 2010 will be presented on Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main in Lakeport.

There is no charge for the event. Light refreshments will be available for purchase from the Soper-Reese volunteers.

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 created new consumer protections, provided new coverage options and provided tools for consumers to use to make informed choices about their family’s health. The act will also effect businesses and self-employed individuals.

Many aspects of the law are not commonly known or understood by the public and as implementation of the law proceeds each new phase brings with it more confusion about what the law means to the community and its members.

The Lake County Bar Association and the Soper-Reese Community Theatre have organized this educational forum about the act to increase awareness and understanding in the community about the core provisions and options provided for in the act and to educate the community about the anticipated effect the act may have on local health care providers.

Speakers at the forum will be Liza Thantranon, a staff attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, and Siri Nelson, chief administrative officer of Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport.

The public will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.

Attorneys attending the event can earn mandatory continuing education credit by registering with the bar association at the event.

Thantranon’s current position with LSNC focuses on providing direct legal assistance to consumers navigating the health care system. She started her legal career as a summer law clerk in 2008 at LSNC’s Sacramento office.

During law school, she also clerked for the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Yolo County Public Defender's office, and Disability Rights California.

Following her graduation from UC Davis’ School of Law in 2010, she joined LSNC's Chico office as a staff attorney, and subsequently transitioned into LSNC’s-Health team.

Nelson has been the chief administrative office for Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport since May of 2009 and is responsible for the overall operation of the hospital.

Prior to moving to Lake County she served as chief financial officer for another Sutter facility and in a number of capacities in the health care field. She is a graduate of California State University, Chico and is a licensed CPA.

She is a member of the American College of Health Care Executives and holds a master’s degree in Health Administration from University of Southern California.

Questions about the forum should be directed to Mary Heare Amodio, president of the Lake County Bar Association at 707-263-5759.