A recent change could affect your Preferred Health Systems Insurance. On May 29, 2008, the legislature made changes to the Kansas continuation provisions in KSA 40-2209. These changes took effect on July 1, 2008.
Previously if you left your employer, your insurance coverage was allowed on Kansas Continuation for 6 months. With the changes, that time limit has now been extended to 18 months.
The new provisions also require that if you were currently in your 6-month continuation period on July 1 you must have the opportunity to remain on the coverage for up to 18 months from the date you first began the continuing coverage.
On October 14th Kansas Secretary of Transportation will be the guest speaker for the Wichita Independent Business Association October luncheon. Governor Sebelius appointed Secretary Miller in January 2003. She serves on numerous boards across the nation and is currently chairman of the Standing Committee on Planning of the American Association of State Highway Transportation organizations.
You may make a reservation by calling the WIBA office at 316-267-8987 or reservations@wiba.org.
Residential heating oil, propane and natural gas prices are expected to be 22% higher this year than last year. While the average American spends 5-10 percent of their income on energy, lower income citizens can spend up to 50 percent of their limited income on energy. This leads to grave choices between food, medicine and fuel.
What are we to do? Make sure your heating system has been serviced and is safe to operate and is in peak working order. Insulate your home, seal cracks in the foundation, make sure windows are tight to avoid the drafts. Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, use what energy we have available wisely.
The Silver Haired Legislators dropped by Topeka last week and presented their proposed agenda for our consideration. This is a very active group of seniors that represents our elderly population by being an advocate to the state legislature. They presented the following five resolutions:
*SHL Bill 2501 - a resolution to combat predatory payday lending practices and predatory practices by consumer loan agencies and Income Tax refund Advance-lending practices.
*SHL Bill 2502 - Support increased funding for Home based programs and Nutrition Programs
*SHL Bill 2503 - Requesting cities, counties and other municipalities with traffic signals to adjust or otherwise provide for timing of traffic lights at crosswalks for seniors and persons with disabilities to allow adequate pedestrian crossing times.
*SHL Bill 2504 - A Bill providing for the reinstatement of certain insurance policies.
*SHL Bill 2505 - A Bill imposing an excise tax on wind generated electricity with proceeds to the Senior Services Trust Fund for senior services funding.
As we all have heard in the past months and year; health –care remains a very high priority for many people. The most important issue is to get as much information as possible as to the available services.
If you are a Veteran there is help available from the VA Center, if you qualify. In a recent letter to the Legislative Post Audit Committee from George Webb, the Executive Director of The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs he outlines the procedures for gaining residency in one of our Veterans Homes.
Care and Residence at one of the VA Nursing Home facilities, Private nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as home health care are available for the elderly veterans. The younger service members that can demonstrate need can receive care as well.
In addition to these major programs, the VA will provide a geriatric evaluation. It also offers adult health care for therapeutic medical and rehabilitation programs; respite care for short-term relief for caregivers; and hospice/palliative care. For others your prescription drugs can be purchased through the VA for a reduced price, health care is also available on a limited basis.
The amount the VA pays for these services varies with the individual and an evaluation is conducted to determine the need. For more information contact the KCVA, Jayhawk Towers, 700 SW Jackson, Suite 701, Topeka Kansas 66603-3758, 1-785-296-3976, or see www.kcva.org.
Leadership Butler will host a Candidate’s Forum on Tuesday, October 28th at the Butler Community Building, 206 N. Griffith in El Dorado. This will be an opportunity to meet and hear candidates speak on the issues important to each of you. The invitation list includes the candidates for US Congress, Kansas Legislature, Kansas Board of Education and will conclude with those running for county offices.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your representative in Topeka and I want to know what you think. Please contact me and we can talk. Home 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado, 67042, 321-2087, johng@carlisleinc.net, or www.johngrange.net.
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