WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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William “Willie” Reed Higginbotham, age 71, resident of Mapleton, KS, went to be with his Savior on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at his home.
He was born July 18, 1947, in San Saba, TX, the son of William Hardy Higginbotham and Ezra Florese “Bobby” Mabry Higginbotham.
He married Vickie Tinkle on December 18, 1970, in Center, TX. They later divorced.
He married Lesley Luce on August 8, 1997, in Kansas City, KS.
Willie worked for Otis Elevator in Dallas, TX for many years as a field manager.
After moving to Ft. Scott, KS, in 1998, he worked 10 years for Shepherd Team Auto Plaza followed by Cox Motor Company, Pleasanton, KS, for 8 years.
When not working, he enjoyed “piddling” on outdoor projects. Willie was a big football fan, especially the Dallas Cowboys. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren with all their activities.
Survivors include his wife Lesley of the home; his mother, Bobby Higginbotham, Granbury, TX; three daughters, April Duffey and husband Jason, Louisville, CO, Condra Ables and husband Darin, Alvarado, TX, and Rachael Martin and husband Tyler, Redfield, KS; a son, Adam Worley and wife Jessica, Richmond, MO; a brother, Sandy Higginbotham and wife Holly, Antlers, OK; a sister, Kim Miller and husband Bryan, Bluffdale, TX; five grandchildren, Addie Martin, Andrew Martin, Katie Martin, Juley Martin and Arianna Jones; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Daniel Higginbotham, a nephew, Christopher Higginbotham; and his father.
Rev. Larry Stevicks will conduct memorial services at 3:30 PM Friday, October 5th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until service time at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Family Worship Center, Baton Rouge, LA, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
CHC/SEK to Assume Ownership of Mercy Clinics in Bourbon, Linn and Crawford Counties
(Pittsburg, KS) – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) – a non-profit primary care system serving the nine counties of the most economically disadvantaged and least healthy region of Kansas – announced it will assume ownership of the Mercy clinics in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma beginning January 1, 2019.
“CHC/SEK entered into discussions with Mercy this summer about the need to maintain access to care and they were anxious to preserve the resources they had built in Bourbon and Linn counties,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai. “As an organization that had grown out of a faith-based health system, CHC/SEK shared their values and their commitment to providing quality, affordable care.”
“We both agreed it was the right thing to do,” Postai said, commending Mercy leadership for their efforts to ensure those they had served so long would continue to receive care from those they knew and trusted. “They are doing whatever they can to make this transition seamless.”
“Everyone recognizes the closure of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott is a tremendous loss to the community and the state,” Postai agreed, adding she was aware of the efforts the system took to prevent it.
“Healthcare has undergone tremendous change over the last decade and sustainability is becoming a challenge for rural hospitals everywhere.”
Southeast Kansas especially is vulnerable with a median income 25% below the state average, declining population and a much higher rate of chronic disease, Postai explained. “The traditional model of healthcare is disappearing and with it the hometown hospital.”
CHC/SEK – with 12 clinics in five counties – has worked to counter this erosion by stabilizing the medical, dental and behavioral health services in the region. “We provided services to more than 43,000 individuals last year regardless of their financial status,” said Postai, adding that the numbers continue to increase.
“Our purpose is to be where we are needed and ensure our care is high quality and affordable,” she said, adding that CHC/SEK was recognized in 2017 as a National Quality Leader and also achieved the highest level of certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.
“We appreciate that the Mercy System trusts us enough to ask us to continue the mission they undertook over a century ago in Fort Scott and, more recently, in Pleasanton and Arma,” Postai said, indicating they hope to retain the medical staff who have served these communities.
“We will be meeting with everyone as soon as we possibly can aware that each member of the Mercy staff will need to make some decisions quickly,” she said, with CHC/SEK staff prepared to devote as much time as necessary to talk with anyone interested in a position over the next 30 days.
CHC/SEK expects to employ about 60 to 70 of the Mercy staff impacted by this announcement.
CHC/SEK currently employs about 340 including about 100 medical, dental and behavioral health providers. The organization’s annual budget is more than $23 million; about 25% of that comes from federal and state funding with the balance from service care delivery.
“We expect to have all sites transitioned by February 1, 2019,” Postai said, explaining that the four clinics will be phased in over a 60-day period to minimize service disruption. Hours and days of clinic operations are expected to remain the same.
CHC/SEK will also continue to operate the pharmacy located within the hospital itself and patients should see a reduction in the cost of their prescriptions.
“We can bring some resources to the community and the clinics because – as a community health center – we are eligible for some special benefits,” Postai said. “We are able to buy drugs at the same price that the Veteran’s Administration pays meaning that we can ensure our patients – especially those on fixed incomes – will be able to afford their prescriptions.”
“Those covered by Medicare may qualify for a discount on their co-pay and, by regulation, their deductible is waived,” she said, adding “As the region’s only Medicare Benefits Enrollment Center, we can assist our older population in identifying all the resources for which they may be eligible.”
Postai added that many of CHC/SEK’s clinics also offer dental and behavioral health services.
“Once we get fully transitioned we will then begin identifying other needs and add resources as we can,” she said. “We really believe in an integrated model of care realizing that those with chronic disease often fight depression and good oral health can impact overall wellbeing.”
“It makes a lot of sense to create a one-stop approach and that’s something we can bring to the community,” said Postai, adding that many are unaware that CHC/SEK services are available to anyone. “We accept all private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, so our patients are representative of the community as a whole.”
“For those on reduced incomes – which include many of the elderly in the region – we do offer financial assistance.”
“Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to primary care so no one is turned away,” she said. “Our vision is ‘Healthcare The Way It Should Be’ which means person-focused, personalized and compassionate.”
Postai went on to express CHC/SEK’s appreciation for everything Mercy is doing to help make the transition as seamless as possible. “Without their support, this undertaking would have not been possible.”
“Much work lies ahead but we know everyone wants to preserve as many of the health resources as possible in these communities,” she said. “We are honored to be asked and we are committed to making it happen.”
About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and outreach services to southeast Kansas and the region. For more information, visit www.chcsek.org.
The recent announcement of Mercy Hospital closing, announced October 1, has stirred up Fort Scottians.
The loss of the hospital that has been a part of the town since 1886 has driven the local government to step in.
During the Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Tuesday morning, Fort Scott City representatives spoke to the group.
“The City (of Fort Scott) is doing everything we can to facilitate the Mercy transition…the physicians will stay on…We are working on solutions,” Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Economic Director, said.
“Ambulance and emergency room (services) are being worked on,” added Robert Uhler, Fort Scott Community Development Director.
Here is an excerpt from a later press release Pruitt wrote:
“The City intends to support our residents in every way possible through this transition. Robert Uhler, Community Development Director; Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director; and Dave Martin, City Manager are actively working on solutions and have been pleased with the outreach of interested parties. Our citizens work hard and deserve affordable healthcare. We are confident Fort Scott will overcome this challenge and continue to be a great place to work and raise families.”
To see the full press release send yesterday, click:
City of Fort Scott Responds to Mercy Shut-Down
Governor Colyer Organizes Statewide Coordinated Opioid Response
Dr. Greg Lakin to serve as Substance Use Disorder Central Authority
TOPEKA – In response to the estimated $30 million dollars in grants being awarded to several state agencies in Kansas from the Federal government for use in battling opioid and substance use disorders, Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. today announced his coordinated effort to ensure those funds are targeted toward addressing the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders in Kansas.
“The timing couldn’t be better for this funding to reach our state,” said Governor Colyer. “The health of Kansans takes top priority, and with the misuse of opioids threatening the health of many in our state, I am determined that we target these grants specifically toward efforts that will hit the problem head-on and stem the tide of addiction and death from abusing opioids and other harmful substances.”
Governor Colyer has asked state agencies receiving this money to identify specific ways that it can be used toward this effort. Already, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) have identified several specific ways to use these new funds. (See attachments).
“Effective treatment is so important to overcoming opioid addiction,” said KDADS Secretary Tim Keck. “We are committed to working with our State and community partners to target our resources to effective programs and services for this and other substance issues.”
To keep the effort organized and centralized, Gov. Colyer has designated Dr. Greg Lakin as the State’s Central Authority on Substance Use. This action was one of the recommendations made by the Governor’s Substance Use Disorder Task Force organized by Gov. Colyer earlier this year. In this role, Lakin will be responsible for coordinating relevant State agencies and their response to substance use issues, such as the opioid epidemic. Dr. Lakin currently serves as the State’s Chief Health Officer for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and chaired the Governor’s Substance Use Disorder Task Force this year. He also serves on the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee.
“We have an opportunity to help people struggling with addiction,” Dr. Lakin said. “By working together on this issue on a statewide and individual level, we will see successful outcomes. It will take the combined efforts of State agencies, stakeholders and communities. I appreciate the Governor allowing me to lead this crucial effort.”
One of Dr. Lakin’s patients shared her experience about the importance of support and coordinated services. Mandi Sims, Salina, suffered numerous injuries during a motor vehicle accident as a teenager. Following a reconstructive surgery, she was prescribed medication for the pain. She says after only a few weeks, she had developed an addiction that ultimately led to a prison sentence and the removal of her children from her care. While pregnant with her fourth child, she consulted with Dr. Lakin and believes her substance use is now behind her. Her children have since been reintegrated into her home, and she has stable employment.
“He literally saved my life,” Sims said. “I have been through so much because of addiction. I am very grateful to everyone who is dedicated to ending this epidemic. Addiction takes away so much, but with the help and support of well-intentioned and caring health professionals, you can get your life back.”
KDHE indicates that 326 Kansans died of a drug overdose in 2017, 36% involved a prescription opioid drug or substance (e.g., hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, etc), 23% involved a psychostimulant (e.g., methamphetamine), and 7% involved heroin. Although Kansas is below the national average for fatal opioid overdoses, the opioid crisis is an emerging threat that remains a challenge for the state to address, including the rise in drug overdoses due to psychostimulant drugs. Increases in opioid-related drug misuse and deaths parallel the increase in prescription and illicit opioid availability.
Learn more about substance use disorders in our state, at www.preventoverdoseks.org.
Click below for the daily reports, which can best be viewed on a computer.
Click below for the daily reports, which can best be viewed on a computer.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Regular meetings are Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Special meeting date: October 3, 2018 at 10 a.m.
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
10:00 a.m.-Special Commissioners Meeting regarding Mercy Hospital.
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
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Thursday October 4th
PHOTO EXHIBIT in the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Merl Humphrey Photography-sponsored photo contest will be on display with the theme of “What Inspires Me.” Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. — Ft. Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. —“Leadbelly” film in the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
Friday October 5th
8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Registration open outside of the Museum.
9:05 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.: “Leadbelly and Irene: Heartbeat of the Musical Frontier” with Megan Felt. Megan Felt, Program Director at the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott, created this short documentary on Huddie Ledbetter when she was a student at Uniontown High School. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE
10:05-11:30: “A Conversation with Roger Mosley.” The 2018 “Choice of Weapons Award” honoree, Mr. Mosley played Huddie Ledbetter in the Gordon Parks-directed film “Leadbelly” and starred in the popular television series, “Magnum P.I.” Discussion led by Karole Graham, Big Mabel in “The Learning Tree” and Laura May in “Leadbelly.” FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Theatre. FREE
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.—Grab a sack lunch from the lobby ($8-purchase that day) and join us in the museum for PARKS POETRY OUT LOUD, sponsored by the Bourbon County Arts Council. Poetry Out Loud is a contest & reading of selected poems of Gordon Parks. ANYONE may enter. No preregistration –just show up! Prize money of $100 (First Place), $75 (Second Place), and $50 (Third Place). (The eight poems are on the gordonparkscenter.org website.) FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. FREE
2:00 p.m. Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7.
5:00 p.m.—Meet and Greet at Sharkey’s Pub. Drop by and meet Roger Mosley and Karole Graham, “Big Mabel” in The Learning Tree.”
7:00 p.m.—Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring the music of blues guitarist Lem Sheppard, Heritage Park Pavilion at 1st and Main Street in downtown Fort Scott. Food Vendors will be open at 5:00 p.m.
Bring your lawn chair! FREE
Saturday, October 6th
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Registration open outside of the Museum.
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Kid’s Art Workshop–Art activities for kids age 5-12. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Meeting Rooms. Fee: $5-payable the day of the workshop.
9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Dimensional Art Workshop-Museum $10 Participants will experience creating a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork using photography, pastels and/or watercolors. The finished work will be printed on 11 x 17 paper. Gordon Parks used this technique in his later years and created beautiful images by creating a background either with pastels, watercolor, etc. He then used a found object, lit the entire scene on two levels and took a photograph of it. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. Fee: $10-payable the day of the workshop.
12:00—1:30—Lunch on your own.
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – “Gordon Parks, Jazz, and Photography,“ with John Mason, Associate Professor, Associate Chair, University of Virginia Department of History. Mason is working on “Gordon Parks and American Democracy,” a book about the ways in which Parks’ Life magazine photo-essays on poverty and the black liberation struggle and the books that he published during the civil rights era made him one of the era’s most significant interpreters of the black experience. FREE
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.—Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $7. 7:00 p.m. – “Celebration Tribute Dinner.” Dinner and evening of tribute; presentation of the 2018 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Roger E. Mosley and a Celebration 15th-year Anniversary retrospective. Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main. All seats reserved. Fee: $30.00. (Reserve by Wed., Oct. 3)
Sunday, October 7th
10:00 a.m.—Breakfast at Nate’s Place. Enjoy breakfast at one of Fort Scott’s finest! Located on the corner of National & 8th Street, you’re sure to find something on the menu to please. Check it out at: lyonstwinmansions.com/nates-place-restaurant. (No ticket required-everyone pays for their own)
DAVID LEE HORNADAY
David Lee Hornaday, 86, passed away Sunday, September 23, 2018, at his home in Moreno Valley, California.
He was born April 8, 1932, in Linn County, Kansas, the son of Compton Alvis and Eva Galora (Groseclose) Hornaday.
He married Eleanor Louise Scheel, and after thirty-three years of marriage, she preceded him in death on October 26, 1988.
David was an electrical engineer and worked for Pacific Bell for over thirty years.
Survivors include his two sons, Jeff Hornaday and his wife Alma, Al Hornaday and his wife Maria; his five grandchildren, including Carlos Felix, A.J., Alexandro, David, and Samuel Hornaday; and his two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with burial following at the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. prior to service time on Saturday. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment, What Should You Do?
Medicare Part D (prescription) annual open enrollment is around the corner.
This nationwide enrollment period runs from October 15 thru December 7.
In the state of Kansas, ten companies provide Medicare Part D totaling 26 different plans to choose from in 2019. Monthly premiums range from $16.20 to $99.50 a month. The deductible upper limit is $415 but ranges from $0-$415.
If you are a Medicare beneficiary enrolled in a Part D prescription plan, you may have already received your Annual Notice of Change for your plan in the mail. The notice will include information regarding any changes to your current plan such as monthly premium, deductible, and coverage of your medications. These notices may not include everything you need to know such as a change in medication formulary or change of in-network pharmacies. Carefully review them. If you do nothing, you will continue in your current plan.
Each year insurance companies providing Part D plans make adjustments regarding monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance and copayments.
Often people are happy with their current plan and can afford the increases, but there may be an opportunity to save money. For many years, probably since 2006 when Part D plans started, Humana Walmart RX has been the lowest premium plan.
It is great for those who do not take any prescription medications but enrolled to have coverage and avoid a penalty in the future.
Two new plans are being offered in 2019 with even lower premiums than Humana. The difference is $90, something beneficiaries may not know if they don’t evaluate all the plans each year.
Having a plan comparison completed will let you know what to expect financially for the upcoming year and make sure your 4 C’s are covered.
The 4 C’s to review in coverage are:
The Southwind Extension District provides free, unbiased, confidential assistance by a Certified SHICK Counselor to help you compare all 26 plans, providing you an estimate of your prescription costs for the upcoming year.
Last year 50% of the beneficiaries I assisted who were new to Medicare or enrolled in a new plan saved over $440,000 dollars.
It is also an opportunity if you have questions about how Medicare works, advantage plans (Part C), or supplement insurance plans.
Those new to Medicare or have questions about Medicare coverage may call the Extension office to discuss Medicare any time during the year. I can also assist you in understanding how Medicare does or does not work with employer insurance or Marketplace health insurance plans.
Evaluation of income and resources are also available to determine eligibility financial assistance programs such as Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program.
For an appointment, call me at 620-223-3720 or email: [email protected]. In person appointments will be scheduled at our Extension offices located in Erie, Iola, Fort Scott, and Yates Center.
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