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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2003)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 19, 2003 Page 6 IVHS School Menu - Sponsored by SISKIYOU COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER 319 Caves Hwy. 592-4111 THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Chicken sandwich, cheeseburger, hamburger, turkey & cheese sub, ham & cheese sub, Chef salad, Mandarin chicken salad, Hawaiian pizza, pepperoni pizza, nachos, spaghetti & bread sticks FRIDAY, MARCH 21 Chicken sandwich, cheeseburger, hamburger, turkey & cheese sub, roast beef sub, Chef salad, Mandarin chicken salad, vegetarian pizza, pepperoni pizza, beef tacos, corn dog & fries MONDAY, MARCH 24 Spring break begins No classes Chain Link Specialist 592-6192 The Savvy Senior by Carol Martin With 49 of 50 states facing serious budget crises this year, AARP recently called on Congress and the presi- dent to provide temporary assistance to the states to help them stave off cuts to programs for children, the elderly and the disabled. Many states are feeling pressure to cut Medicaid budgets this year to address serious deficits. The AARP Board of Directors, which is meeting with key lawmakers and issue experts, is con- cerned about the potential harm these cuts will cause to some of America's most vulnerable. AARP President Jim Parkel explained, "Frail and dis- abled people will lose home a nd c ommun it y- bas ed health services. Nursing homes won't be able to hire enough staff. Children and older Americans will lose coverage from state assis- tance programs. "With no help from Con- gress, states may be forced to cut off coverage for many in need and not just the poor," Parkel said. "Health providers, businesses, in- surers and local govern- ments will suffer as costs for services covered by Medi- caid are shifted onto them," he added. The administration has pro- posed some short term re- lief, however, AARP is con- cerned that the Administra- tion proposal for "lump-sum allotments" to the states is insufficient and could lead to more Medicaid cuts. "This proposal handcuffs states because it leaves people more vulnerable in future years as states struggle to meet increased needs with decreased dollars," said AARP Executive Director and CEO Bill Novelli. "States need temporary as- sistance to help maintain health coverage in the cur- rent economic climate, not permanent changes that will reduce or eliminate future care. Congress should pro- vide a temporary increase in the rate at which federal government matches state Medicaid spending." In my own state, the strain has caused tax in- creases on the local level. However, I, personally, don't agree with AARP's stance. The money, whether from federal or state coffers, is still your tax dollars. Either way, we all pay. Think about it.