Thanks for the response Barbara...i passed it along. yes, it seems it is only recently that Kaiser has agreed to pay for the surgeries in LA. Mom was supposed to have it back in Sept. up north. But they told my parents they have been doing the pallidotomies at USC for a long time, just not under Kaiser. The surgeon is Dr. Dogali, well-known. I'm off to Canoga Park tomorrow for Christmas, so will check my messages when i get back. The idea of asking your support group is great. (I've tried many times to get my parents to the group, or just my dad, with no luck.) Happy holidays to you, Debbie [log in to unmask]