Published: November 16, 2007 11:14 pm            

Pay attention to Medicare Part D; Red Cross says thank you; stop raising taxes

We’ve now had Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for almost two years and there are some things we’ve learned. First choosing the right plan can save you a lot of money. Second, many people stay with the plan they know and could be missing the chance to save even more by changing plans. And third some Iowans are missing the chance to get extra help with drug costs offered as part of Part D.

Now is the time for residents of Clinton County to stay on top of Part D. During the last six weeks of 2007 (Nov. 15 to Dec. 31), you can choose to change your Medicare drug coverage for 2008 or enroll in a plan if you missed earlier deadlines. Approximately 80 percent of Iowans have some type of drug coverage but 97,000 still have no coverage. It’s also estimated that over 300 people in Clinton County may be eligible to get help with their Medicare drug costs but haven’t applied for that help with Social Security. If you’re on Medicare or know someone who is, share this important information with them.

Volunteers with Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), sponsored locally by RSVP, are available to help anyone on Medicare with questions about the drug benefit or with any questions about Medicare. They can help compare the 52 plans offered in Iowa with an individual’s needs, assist them with enrollment in a plan if requested, or help with applications for extra help. To meet with a SHIIP counselor call (563) 243-7787. SHIPP’s services are free, confidential and objective.

Medicare drug plans can change premiums, cost sharing and formulary (drugs covered) from year to year so the plan you have now may not be the best for you in 2008. Don’t wait until the last minute to determine the best plan for you in 2008.

Dick Cook and Ron Garrison,

SHIIP Counselors, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 315 S. Second St., Clinton

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Thank you. I learned these words from my parents when I was very young, but the sentiment never gets old.

Thank you to the people that donated to the Gateway Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Your gift enables us to provide comfort and compassion throughout the year to our neighbors in need. The generosity of this community allowed us to:

n respond to more than 45 local disasters, helping 105 families;

n train 4,900 individuals in lifesaving skills like CPR, first aid and how to use an automatic emergency defibrillator;

n collect over 2,900 units of lifesaving blood which has the potential of helping 8,700 people; and

n provide 65 emergency messages, referrals and related services to U.S. service members, veterans and their families through our Armed Forces Emergency Services program.

The compassion of our donors is turned into these actions by the more than 97 volunteers who donate 2,225 hours each year for our chapter. Nationwide, volunteers make up 97 percent of the American Red Cross workforce.

We couldn’t keep our promise to help our neighbors without your precious gifts of time, money and blood. For more information on how these gifts are at work helping people across our community and nation, please visit www.redcross.org.

Thanks for giving.

Dave Frett,

Executive Director, Gateway Area Chapter American Red Cross

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Whoa School Board! It wasn’t four weeks ago that Mr. Clegg was pushing for a 37-cent per thousand increase in our taxes to cover a $250,000 shortfall in the budget and now, just this short period of time later the short fall has increased to $300,000 to $400,000. What is going on here?

His explanations as printed by the paper are very general and vague as to what exactly the money is needed for, and as usual the old “saw” is that, “If we don’t get the money we will have to lay off teachers,” a statement to chill the souls of all parents with students in school, and said for just that reason. I do not know whom it is that runs the budget for the school board but he/she should be replaced with someone who can balance the books, and who, with the school board, has the foresight to see things coming down the line several years ahead of time and budget accordingly!

There are a large number of us in this city who don’t have kids in school and are on a fixed income, and despite the thinking of the school board and the city, as far as that is concerned, have to budget just to make it from one month to the next! We can’t tax anyone for failures in our budgeting and right now with sewer rate increase; and the proposed water rate increase; and the increased assessed value of our properties; and the decreasing appraised values; and food and gas prices going up, we have to cut back, not spend more and our city ought to realize that. We can only afford “Have to haves,” while the school board and the city doesn’t limit itself to that criteria and gets too involved in “Nice to have,” and “Want to have!” A flash for you people in the school board and the city administration, “The money tree in the average citizen’s backyard is barren and dying!”

You are on the verge of driving those of us on fixed incomes out of town and in fact out of the state. The very thing our Governor is complaining about right now!

Floyd T. Neubauer,

Clinton

        

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