4 November 2013
Kitzhaber downplays Oregon health exchange issues
Governor John Kitzhaber is downplaying problems that have plagued Cover Oregon, the state’s health insurance exchange.
The governor said Friday the state should be judged on whether people who want insurance are able to sign up, not whether they can do it online.
State officials urged people seeking insurance to fill out a paper form, which will have to be processed by hand. The paper-based enrollment process will take weeks.
The online enrollment was supposed to simplify the process, allowing people to complete it in as little as an hour. But the software has been unable to accurately determine whether some people are eligible for tax credits or public assistance.
As a result, nobody has been able to enroll in health insurance through Oregon’s exchange.
There is no timetable for when the website will be fully operational.
Vet-to-Vet
A special program administered by Peace Harbor Hospice aims to provide comfort for veterans at end of life. Donna Becker, volunteer coordinator for Peace Harbor Hospice says one in four dying Americans is a Veteran. “These men and women often carry experiences from their military service”, she said, “that present unique challenges at the end-of-life” according to Becker. That’s why Hospice currently has five military veterans who are participating in the Vet-to-Vet volunteer program, providing companionship and friendship to dying veterans.
Becker says the Veterans Administration does provide end of life services, but usually only reached about one-in-20. That leaves 95 percent of vets in the community. Vet-to-Vet volunteers can assist veterans in reminiscing, and telling life stories as well as educate and assist vets and their families about VA benefits.
Singing For Supper
Mapleton’s Singing Loggers… Craig and Terry… will be singing for supper this coming weekend.
Not theirs, but for their friends and neighbors.
Craig Jenkins, Terry McGinnis and their band mates will be on stage in the gym at Mapleton High School Saturday, November 9th at seven pm for a benefit concert.
Proceeds will go to Mapleton Food Share, the emergency food pantry for Mapleton and Swisshome area residents. Tickets are available at the door… $10 for adults, $5 for students.
Silver Sides
If you’ve wanted to find out where and how to catch the elusive wild coho salmon, you’ll get your chance Wednesday evening.
Dean Hendricks, co-owner of North Country Lures and Flies will speak to members of the Florence Salmon Trout Enhancement Program during their monthly meeting this week.
Hendricks will talk about some of the best locations on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch lakes; as well as what types of riggings and spinners work best.
The Florence STEP meeting is Wednesday, seven PM at the Florence Elks Lodge.
