At the Nov. 14 Marion County Commission meeting, our commissioners, prior to Mr. Knight's presentation, heard facts and documented statistics from Glenn Thompson, director of Stand Up for Kansas.
Those facts prove casino gambling will cost more than it will generate for local governments along with economic devastation for the local economy.
Glenn's presentation also calmly and accurately built a case that clearly showed it is highly unlikely a casino would be placed in Marion County.
If the state constitution were changed to allow a state-run casino-something not yet done by any state-it would most likely be located in a densely populated area (such as Sedgwick County) to ensure maximum exposure and participation. This would result in the highest potential revenues for the State of Kansas.
The job of the Kansas Legislature is to look out for the well being of the state. Isn't it logical to assume that, if the state constitution were changed to allow this proposal, the location would be where it would have the greatest potential to succeed and produce maximum revenue for the state?
I issued this challenge to the commissioners on Oct. 31 and now extend it to those who are considering the evidence of "casino gambling" before they cast their vote.
Where is the "model casino community" that can be studied or viewed to see if the "proposed riches" will actually come through as planned?
When Commissioner Randy Dallke posed this question, I believe heard Mr. Knight offer "Foxwood's crown jewel" located in Ledyard, Conn.
Could this be the same Ledyard, Conn., whose police department in 2001 received $600,000 of casino tax revenue but faced $2.2 million dollars of casino-related law enforcement expenses? (Source: Park City study Jan. 9, 2005.)
The annual number of calls to the Ledyard Police Department jumped from 4,000 to 16,700 within five years of the opening of the Foxwoods Casino. (Source: University of Illinois & Georgia joint study.)
Citizens for a Prosperous Marion County! intends to provide facts and evidence to the public so voters can make an informed decision.
We encourage and support economic development. We are not opposed to change. We encourage change that will preserve and enhance our quality of life.
All change comes with a price. Make sure you now what the true price will be before you vote. Listen to the facts and evidence.
You are invited to attend the information meeting at 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Marion Senior Center.
Dale Nuss, chairman
Citizens for a Prosperous
Marion County!
New drug plan brings far-reaching changes
Maybe you've been watching television and seen the ads describing a new Medicare prescription drug plan.
Or, perhaps you've been given materials about the new program when you've picked up a prescription.
What's happening to the Medicare program and the millions of Americans who are enrolled in it is one of the most profound benefit changes in the program's history.
Because this new program is so sweeping, it is important for everyone to begin understanding how this new set of options will work.
Set to begin Jan. 1, the federal Medicare program is going to begin providing prescription drug coverage for everyone who receives Medicare, regardless of income.
In addition to offering a prescription drug benefit, a new Medicare plan will be offered that combines a prescription drug plan with a Medicare Advantage-plus Prescription Drug, or MA-PD.
Because this new coverage represents such a radical change, we hope all Medicare subscribers and those who care for them will learn more about theses new offerings.
And even though enrollment started Nov. 15, it's not too late to collect information and learn all you can about the changes. Much of this information can be accessed via the Internet at the Medicare Web site (www.medicare.gov), but I hope people will talk to their local health-care providers, too.
Together, we can help sort through the volumes of information that is flooding the airwaves and piling up in your mailboxes.
It will be important to have all of the facts before taking action. Everyone enrolled in Medicare will have to see if one of these new plans is right for him or her.
How do you know where to sign up? People will need to review their options carefully. Check and then re-check to see if the plans being marketed will work with your current providers, your doctor, pharmacist and hospital.
It is important to understand that all plans are run by private companies-not the federal government.
Important factors to consider are the list of drugs covered on various plans and the different networks of doctors, pharmacies and hospitals that can be used.
For all Medicare enrollees, the initial enrollment period started Nov. 15 but it continues well into next year. People have until May 15, 2006, to make enrollment decisions.
If you have Medicare, I invite you to contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services or any of your local healthcare providers. Together, we can help seniors sort through the various plan options and see what choices might be best.
While much of the publicity surrounding these sweeping Medicare changes has centered on the addition of the prescription drug benefits, there is another important change that impacts physician and hospital care called Medicare Advantage.
This part of the Medicare program will replace the Medicare+ Choice program and is offering private plan alternatives for those enrolled in Medicare's traditional fee for service insurance program. It represents a new emphasis on managed care and has sweeping implications for all.
Before taking any action, people should assess their needs and check with their local health-care providers to make sure they can seek treatment and care at their provider of choice. It might be that some hospitals or physicians in this area are not affiliated with the Medicare Advantage plan being marketed.
Taking time now to weigh your options before you sign up for any of the new plans will be time well spent. There are pros and cons to consider before making any changes-and being an informed consumer has never been more important.
In making a decision on Medicare health plans, it is important that you know and understand how your community-owned hospital and other local health-care providers will cover your health needs under each plan.
Hillsboro Community Medical Center is currently reviewing the Medicare programs available in this area. If you receive any mailings or other promotional materials, we would appreciate it if you could bring them to the hospital so we could make a copy and investigate the offerings being made.
A decision will be made on this matter in the best interest of our community. At this point, Hillsboro Community Medical Center has not been offered a contract to participate in the Medicare Advantage program.
I will release a statement to the public once an informed decision has been made.
In the meantime, feel free to contact Medicare to address questions or concerns regarding these Medicare plans and the coverage available in this area.
