Age Spots by Ruth Dockins
Medicare Prescription Drug Sign-Up Begins October 15th
Finally, the crisp, cool weather of fall is here (or nearly here)! We can start looking at football games, bon-fires and new Medicare D choices.
As most of you know the Medicare D (prescription drug) sign-up for 2016 starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. You have received, or will soon receive (depending on when this article is printed) a letter from your Medicare Prescription Drug plan the “Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage”. This letter will be a notice from your current plan outlining their 2016 formulary, benefit design and/or premium changes. They must send this to you by September 30.
Be sure to read this information carefully because many times there are significant changes in the premium, formulary and/or tier levels of the medication. If you are not satisfied with the new plan information please make a list of your medications, the size and how often you take them, and what pharmacy you use. Then contact Jackie, Liz, Meagan or me at 573-335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771, between October 15 and Dec. 7 so that we can assist you in finding the best plan for you for 2016. We will also need your Medicare number, effective dates for part a & b and your address. (By the way, never give this information to someone who calls you.)
We will have a form on our website that you can complete if you choose, it will be under Information and Assistance, Medicare D enrollment. You can print it and complete it and send it to us at the address on the bottom of the form. Our website is www.agingmatters2u.com We can then enter the information and will contact you with the best plans for you so that you can make an informed decision.
If you want to do this yourself you can go to www.medicare.gov click on “find health and drug plans” and follow the prompts.
Late in the month of September you will receive your new Medicare & You handbook. This is a very handy book to have; it answers many questions and has lots of good information in it. You can also download a copy online at www.Medicare.gov.
By October 16 employer/union and other group health plans must tell all Medicare eligible enrollees whether or not their drug coverage is creditable. Hang on to this notice! If you ever enroll in Medicare Part D you will need the letter to prove that you did have creditable coverage before you enrolled.
We will be having enrollment events at the following locations:
Oct. 15 – Aging Matters office (call for location 335-3331) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nov. 4 – Twin Towers, 302 N. E St., Poplar Bluff 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nov. 4 – Altenburg Library, 66 Poplar St. Altenburg noon – 6 p.m.
Nov. 5 – Perryville Library, 800 City Park Dr. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nov. 5 – Caruthersville RSVP office, 1105 Carlton 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nov. 10 – OAKS Sr Center, 305 Cresap, Sikeston 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nov. 18 – Oaks Sr. Center, 900 Kennett Sr., Kennett 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
If you have questions please call 573-335-3331 or 1-800-392-8771.
“I’m proud to have the support from local leaders from so many diverse parts of Missouri,” Contreras said. “Folks across Missouri are excited about keeping a strong voice for all Missourians in the treasurer’s office. I look forward to continuing to travel the state and to talk to Missourians about how we can make our state stronger.”
Contreras continues a trend of showing strong support. In his first quarter in the race he received financial contributions from over 400 individuals. The broad base of fundraising and endorsements show the fast start his campaign is off to.
The Democratic Party Chairs that have so far endorsed Pat Contreras for State Treasurer are:
Pat Contreras is a Kansas City native, a diplomat who served two Presidents, and a leader who knows how to get things done. Pat grew up in Kansas City where he learned to work hard, fight for what you believe in, and serve others.
A graduate of St. Louis University and Columbia University in New York, Pat began his career at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City where he helped guide community banking strategies, and now is working on the Jackson County Veterans Task Force to help those who have served find jobs, housing, and services.
Pat felt a calling to serve his country and worked in both the Obama and Bush administrations as a diplomat at the U.S. Department of State. His overseas deployments included Pakistan and Mexico where he helped strengthen national security and foreign policy objectives, led public diplomacy initiatives in Europe, and promoted business investment in America. He is a Partner with the Truman National Security Project.
“Fourteen years ago today, America witnessed the most horrific terrorist attack ever to take place on our nation’s soil,” said Blunt. “We will never forget the innocent victims and their families who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
“We continue to face real threats from terrorists today, and we were reminded of this just three years ago with the loss of four Americans who were killed during a deadly and senseless terrorist attack in Benghazi. I will continue working to ensure those who work and fight for our freedoms have the resources they need to protect our country. We will always be forever grateful for our country’s brave service members, intelligence professionals, and first responders who tirelessly work to keep us safe.”
Blunt currently serves as a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He previously served as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Jefferson City, Missouri - Gov. Jay Nixon today announced his appointments to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents, the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee and the State Soil and Water Districts Commission. The appointments will be subject to approval by the Missouri Senate.
The Governor has appointed Phillip M. Britt (D), of Kennett; and Edward P. Gargas (D), of Dexter to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents. The six-member Board of Regents appoints the President of the University, employs faculty and staff, and makes budgetary and policy decisions necessary to implement the University's mission.
Britt has served as the Drug Court Commissioner for the 35th Judicial Circuit since 2002. Prior to that, he was the elected state representative for the 163rd District in the Missouri House. Britt also served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Dunklin and Pemiscot counties. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University and his law degree from the University of Missouri. The Governor has appointed Britt for a term ending Jan. 1, 2022.
Gargas is the director of operations and sales for Bagby Wealth Management and has been in financial management and insurance positions since 1991. He is a commissioned officer in the Missouri Army National Guard and a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University, his masters in business administration from William Woods University and a masters in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. The Governor has appointed Gargas for a term ending Jan. 1, 2022.
The Governor has appointed Derek B. Hunter (R), of Springfield, to the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee. The committee’s mission is cost containment through health cost management, assurance of community need and the prevention of unnecessary duplication of health care services. Certificate of Need is based on a goal of public accountability through review of proposed health care services, value promotion, and negotiation among competing interests.
Hunter is a retired CPA who was with the accounting firm of BKD, LLP from 1979 to 2007, when he retired as a partner. He primarily served long-term care facilities and retirement villages while at BKD. Hunter obtained his undergraduate degree in accounting from Missouri State University. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Jan. 1, 2016.
The Governor also has appointed Timothy W. Martin (I), of Bernie, to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission. The Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission formulates policies and general programs for the saving of Missouri soil and water by the soil and water conservation districts.
Martin is the president of Martin Rice Company, Martin Grain Company and Marco Inc. With his brothers, he farms and manages more than 7,000 acres of rice-growing and row crop land in southeast Missouri. In 2010, Martin Rice Company received the Governor’s Award for Agricultural Achievement. Martin is a member of the Elk Township Board in Stoddard County and a member of the Little River Drainage District Board of Supervisors. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Aug. 15, 2018.
Dear 151st District Constituents,
It is August already! I cannot believe how quickly the year is passing! Parade season is here with all the wonderful fun of the fairs! I am looking forward to all the fairs and all the wonderful events of the fall, especially some less humid temperatures!! Schools are starting so please remember to be on the lookout for children walking to school, especially as they are crossing roads.
As I said at the beginning of this letter, I have been attending quite a lot meetings during this latter part of summer. I have learned a great deal and will share some of what I have learned with you. The summer caucus meeting was focused on the pitfalls of politics. There was much discussion on personal behavior and responsibility as well as ethical issues for elected officials. I really enjoyed the presenters and the following discussion, it has given me quite a few things to think on and decide how I want my office to be directed as well as how my and my staff’s conduct should be.
I have attended several meetings with legislators from around that nation discussing various policy programs during this latter part of the summer. There have been many issues discussed, everything from taxes to state budgets to education to healthcare to transportation and many others that I haven’t listed. It has been interesting to hear what other states are doing, what is working and what is not working. The meetings have provided great opportunities to discuss why a particular action worked and why it didn’t as well as any possible contributing issues or factors. One particular meeting really stood out to me, it was discussing using the Best Evidence Strategy in Legislative Policy Making. This strategy calls for looking at each policy and asking a specified list of questions including “what is the return on investment”. Will the money spent on a particular project or line item in the budget actually provide the taxpayer with the most return for every dollar? With having been appointed to the Interim Committee for State GovernmentAccountability and Oversight, this information will be particularly helpful in guiding me as I work to learn the various State Departments and if this particular Department is truly meeting the needs of Missourians.
The House will begin our investigation into Planned Parenthood, I will be serving on this committee and am anxious to begin this process. I am hopeful for a better process than what is currently being experienced by the Senate. I attended their hearing and was astonished when the Director of Health and Senior Services refused to answer a particular question and refuse to release certain documents that had been subpoenaed by the Senate. As I said earlier, I am hopeful that we will not have the same response, if we do, I am confident we will respond appropriately.
As I conclude this portion of this newsletter, please let me remind you of the importance of our Senior Citizen Centers and the Meals on Wheels Program. The Senior Citizen Centers are in desperate need of people eating lunches at their centers. The funding for the Meals on Wheels Programs and the Centers are decided based on the number of meals served at the actual centers. You do not have to be over the age of 65 to eat there (you may be required to pay a little more than a Senior Citizen), anyone can and it is a great meal!! Please support our Senior Citizen Centers through eating a meal there or volunteering whenever you can. Our Seniors have worked hard to provide for us so let’s help them out now!!
Please call my office if we can be of service to you! I will be in and out of the district each week until Session resumes in January. I am going to be spending at least a day each week in Jefferson City on committee and constituent work. If you would like to meet with me, please call my office at (573) 751-1494, Louie will schedule a time that we can sit down together over a cup of coffee to discuss any issues that you are needing assistance with!!
Until next week,
Tila
