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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1993)
N ovember 03, 1993 • T he P ortland O bserver P age ,\4 "HMO Oregon" To Be New Name For Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Oregon Subsidiary “ HMO Oregon” will be the new1 largest in the state, extending from corporate name for Capitol Health the Portland metropolitan area south Care, Inc., the managed care subsid along the 1-5 corridor to the Califor iary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of nia border. Several additional coun Oregon (BCBS). The new- name be ties are expected to be added in 1994. The transition from Capitol Health comes official November I, 1993. The name change is being made to Care to HMO Oregon is expected to help avoid confusion among consum take several months to complete. ers over the many different corporate During that time, the notation “ for names in the health care market merly capitol Health Care” will ap place. “This step helps clarify which pear w i th the H MO Oregon logo. The HMOcompany is affiliated with Blue name change will be accompanied by Cross and Blue Shield of Oregon, the an advertising campaign in the HMO state’s largest, most recognized health service area to further inform con insurance com pany,” said Roger sumers. Capitol Health care, based in Sa Lyman, Executive Vice President of lem, became a subsidiary of BCBSO Managed Care and Internal O pera in 1988. It has nearly 250,000 sub tions. Whenever the HMO Oregon logo scribers statewide. In the Portland is used, it will be accompanied by the area, some HMO subscribers are cov well-known “cross and shield” sym ered through Health Maintenance of bols, indicating its corporate affilia Oregon (HMOO), which isalsoallili- tion. The symbols are owned by the ated with BCBSO. HMO Oregon will Blue Cross and Blue Shield Associa assume HMOO’s business over the tion; HMO Oregon is an independent next several months, but subscribers will not see any change in coverage or licensee of the Association. HMO Oregon’s service area is the contracts. Funding Aimed At Saving Lives Home should be a safe place for everyone, but for millions of Ameri cans it is the place they are least safe. The leading cause of injury to women in this country is battering by a hus band or partner. At the same tim e O regon is launching a statewide council to sup port the efforts of local communities to end domestic violence, Sen. Mark O. Hatfield and Rep. Elizabeth Furse are sponsoring legislation in Con gress to help fund such community efforts. The Domestic Violence Com m u nity Initiative Act of 1993 would sup port demonstration projects in com munities around the country that bring together leaders from each sector of the community to develop a coordi nated plan for stopping domestic vio lence. Up to twenty million dollars in grants would be available if the Act is approved by Congress. Domestic Violence coordinating committees already exist in eleven communities in Oregon, including C la c k a m a s, M a rio n , D o u g la s, Josephine and Multnomah Counties. The coordinating committees work to ensure that all programs and agencies dealing with domestic violence oper ate smoothly together, including the courts, police, district attorney’s of fice and shelter services for victims. According to the Executive Di rector of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, Holly Pruett, “We appreciate the leadership of Senator Hatfield and Representa tive Furse in their efforts to stop abuse and save lives.” The Coalition has worked for the past fifteen years to support and strengthen domestic and sexual vio lence programs in local communities and to change the underlying social conditions that cause this abuse. D r u g -F r e e M a r s h a ls Wyden Announces Innovative Grant Program To Community -Based Organization U.s. Rep. Ron Wyden announced a grant award by the lederal Centers for Disease Control to Self Enhance ment, Inc. (SEI), a community-based organization which helps disadvan- taged youth. SEI will operate a Youth Violence Prevention program, dc- signed to steer at-risk youth away front violent activity. “On many Portland streets, a deadly mix of gangs, drugs, guns and violence is taking away too many of our young people, “Wyden said. “We want it stopped.” “SEI has been on the front lines working with young people, trying community-based strategics forstecr- ing young people toward a healthy future. I am pleased that 1 was able to locale a source of federal funds for SEI to attack the root causes of vio- lcnce among our inner city youth.” SE l’s program is designed to build selfesteem and positive values. The grant focuses on education, work and community experience, building positive cultural values and norms, and a rigorous evaluation component to determine what strategies work best in reaching vulnerable children. “Too often it is the bureaucrats who decide what is an effective pro- gram. With this grant, S E I-a com- munity based program -w ill be in a position to assess results,” said Wy- den. “This approach is long overdue.” roc PORTLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CO M M ISSIO N MEETING Date: N ovem ber 10,1993 Place: Portland Building 1120 SW Fifth Ave., 11 th Floor Portland, Oregon Time: 8:00 a.m. Com m ission m eetings a re open to the public. A com plete agenda is available at PDC or by calling 823-3200. C itizens with disabilities m ay call 823-3232 or TDD 823-6868 for assistance at least 48 hours in advance. PDC is the City of P ortland's urban renew al, housing and econom ic developm ent agency. What do the Portland Observer, downtown businesses, local schools and the Drug enforcement Agency have in common? They all joined the already impressive ranks of the Drug- Free Marshals last week in celcbra- lion o f Red Ribbon Week, Red Ribbon Week is a national anti-drug program that promotes drug free living. Churches, schools and community groups nationwide set aside the week tohold anti-drug events and to present a unified and visible comm itment toward die creation of a Drug Free America, Being big supporters of Red Rib- bon Week, Drug-Free Marshals from all over the country were out in full force spreading the Drug-Free Mar- shal pledge and swearing in new Marshals. In Portland, the head Mar- shals visited with several downtown businesses and the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit getting them to swear to uphold the seven points of the Drug-Free Marshals pledge and receive their Marshal badges, The Drug-Free Marshals cam- paign was originally launched in Los Angeles in April where more than 500 attendees watched as the FBI swore in over 200 kids as Drug-Free Marshals. To become a Marshal, kids ages 5 to 12 had to qualify in a M ar shal contest, submitting a picture, song, essay, etc., on how they would create a drug-free community. The campaign was brought to Portland with a similar kick-off event earlier this summer where 32 contest win ners were sworn in as Marshals. There arc now over 70 Drug-Free Marshals in Portland. The Drug-Free Marshals cam paign is sponsored and supported by several Portland churches, schools and businesses and coordinated by the Church of Scientology’s Lead The Way to a Drug-Free USA program. It Hatfield, Furse Introduce Domestic Violence Bill Statistics show growing problem in Oregon, nation Legislation that would authorize $20 million for local coalitions against domestic violence has been introduced in Congress by Senator Mark Hatfield and Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse. Hatfield and Furse cited statis tics that indicate growing escalation in domestic violence cases nation wide and in Oregon. Domestic Violence is the single largest cause of injury to women. Each day ten women die from the effects of beatings. In O r egon, 36 percent of the homicides in 1993 involved domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Com munity Initiative Act of 1993 would authorize funding for demonstration projects in an effort to coordinate strategies to deal with the problem at the local level. The concept is already being explored in Portland, where police, health care providers, educa- tors, domestic violence program ad- vocates, and others are teaming up to develop a coordinated approach to break the cycle of violence. Hatfield said the idea for the legislation arose out of meetings he had with the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and other groups in Portland several months ago. “I found that a lot of the groups were doing agood job in their particu lar areas but there was little interac tion or coordination among the vari ous players,” Hatfield said. “This leg islation will provide the mechanisms to develop local coalitions and build on the excellent work being done by so many different groups and organi- zations.” “ If we can help the organizations who are on the front lines to work together” Furse said,” Then we can maximize our resources to help women put their lives back togetheras quickly as possible.” The bill provides authorization for up to $20 million for demonstra tion projects selected by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Spe cific action plan should be developed that address prevention, intervention, and awareness, and each program would be evaluated for effectiveness every two years. (From left to right) Vicki Scherer, Matt Worlock, Kasia Monson, Nick Manson, Brenna Safft also has an impressive membership list including members of the Mult nomah County S h e riffs Dept., Ron Wyden, Senator Packwood’s office, FISH Emergency Services and KV AN radio. The Marshals also just returned from a trip to W ashington D.C. where they met Marshals from 13 other cit ies around the country to swear in congressmen and senators. As part of upholding the pledge, the Marshals meet with community leaders and school groups, promoting the Drug-Free Marshal contest and making new Marshals. The kids also get educated on the various aspects of living in a drug-ridden society to tell other kids they meet. Angie Mann, spokesperson for the Lead The Way and Drug-Free Marshals,commented, “Firemen educate the kids about drug- related fires or accidents; the police can tell them about drug traffickers getting arrested and being sent to jail; drug and alcohol rehabilitation insti tutions teach them what it is like to try and kick a drug addition, and busi- ness owners can tell about what is it like to have employees on drugs. If kids are well educated on the different effects drug use creates, they will be less inclined to start taking them, “ Mann stated. “The Drug Free Marshals get to leam about drugs straight from the source o f those who are most closely dealing with the problem and the effects and then they gel to pass their knowledge on to other kids. It’s a great responsibility that the kids love having.” Enjoying a 100% drug-free con gregation themselves, the Church of Scientology is known for its support of drug-free solutions and working with a wide variety of organizations, especially each state’s Red Ribbon Week coordinators. For more information about the contest, how your group can partici pate in the Drug Free Marshal pro gram or how you can become a Drug- Free Marshal, contact Angie Mann at the Church of Scientology at 228-0116. Urban League Career Awareness Day W hat: Urban League “Career Awareness Day’ W ho: Local high school stu- dents W hen: Saturday,November20, 1993, 8am to 2pm. W here: Portland State U niver sity, 724 SW Harrison, Portland . _ to market career opportunities in their The 20th annual Urban League fields to a large audience o f urban of Portland Career Awareness day, youth. The day’s schedule includes designed to help local high school round-trip bus transportation for the students leam about a wide variety or students, career workshops m otiva career options in a single day will tional speakers, selection of a schol convene Saturday, N ovem ber 20, arship winner, lunch and a career fair 1993, 8am to 2pm. This event offers where students can visit employer employers an excellent opportunity booths. Crime Stoppers Case Crime Stoppers Case #93-42: Update Case Double Homicide Portland Police Bureau Homi cide Detectives, in cooperation with Crime Stoppers, are asking for your help in solving a double murder. On Sunday, November 3, 1991, at 11:20 in the morning, the bodies of 30 year old Belinda Faye Flannigan and 33 year old Gerald Phillips were found in room #24 of the Ara-Bcl Motel, at 11324 N.E. Sandy Boule vard. According to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office, Belinda Faye Flannigan Gerald Gleen Phillips both subjects had died from gunshot Investigator: sponsible for the murders, but do not wounds. Detective Sue Hill Homicide investigators have been have enough evidence to make an Send your letters to the Editor to: Homicide Detail able to establish that Flannigan and arrest. Editor, PO Box 3137, Portland, OR, 972108 Portland Police Bureau Cri me S toppers i s offeri ng a cash Phillips were reportedly both seen (503) 823-0479 alive as late as 9:30 in the evening, reward o f up S I,000 for information Crime Stoppers Coordinator Saturday November 2, 1991, which reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads Officer Henry Groepper was the night before their bodies were to an arrest in this case, or any un Investigative Support Unit solved felony crime, and you need not Q uestion: Will Social Security for Social Security benefits now, won’t of improvement. If your condition found. (503)823-HELP give your name. Call Crime Stoppers has not changed and you are work ing. H om icide investigators have accept photocopies instead o f origi my checks be reduced? (503)823-0497 at 823-HELP. your benefits will not be affected. identified a male subject believed rc- A nsw er: Social Security retire nal documents as evidence to support Q uestion: When my ex-husband ment benefits are reduced five ninths a claim? retires, can I receive wife’s benefits Answer: No. The person pro of 1 percent for each month you re even if we’re divorced? cessing the claim must certify that he ceive them before age 65. At age 63, A nswer: If you and your ex- or she has seen the original document that would be a 13 percent reduction, husband were married for at least 10 or a certified copy of the original. however, there is no reduction if you years and if you are at least 62 years Documents can be altered and the qualify for disability. So you should of age and currently unmarried, you alteration will not be visible in the apply for Social Security disability will be eligible to receive divorced photocopy. All original documents benefits at the same time you apply for Social Security retirement benefits. wife’s benefits based on his Social will be returned to you. Q uestion: I’ll be 64 next June The retirement application can be Security work record. If your ex-hus and I plan to retire then. When do I processed more quickly than the dis band is at least 62, you can receive need to file for my Social Security ability application, and the benefit divorced wife’s benefits even if he is amount initially will be reduced. If still working and not yet drawing his benefits? A nswer: You should call Social your disability application isapproved, own Social Security retirement ben- Security’s toll-free number, 1-800- yourbenefitam ount will be increased. efitsif you’vebeendivorced from him Q uestion: I received a letter from at least 2 years. It’s time once again for the Catlin Gabel 772-1213, and set up an appointment Thursday, November 4 .5 p .m .- 9 p m Rummage Sale. And your chance to You can receive up to h alf o f Social Security that they plan to re to talk with a representative about /Opening Day: 25% markup/ pinch pennies on over 60,000 square your ex -h u sb a n d ’s b enefits if you view my disability claim. My condi Friday. November 5 , 10 a m. - 9 p m your retirement plans now. Under feet of outstanding merchandise. w ait until y o u ’re age 65. At age Saturday. November6 ,10a.m .-6p.m . tion hasn’t changed, and I am not current Social Security laws, many Including clothing for men, women Sunday. November 7,10a.m. - J p .m people can get additional benefits by working. Why am I being reviewed? 62, you receive about 38 p ercent. and children. Books. Housewares. A nsw er: Social Security disabil Any benefits payable to you do Sports equipment. Tbys. Fbmiture. Treasures. And more. All to benefit filing a retirement claim that goes ity benefits arc paid to people who are not affect those payable to his financial aid at The Catlin Gabel School. into effect in January even if they you You’ll find it all at the Multnomah County Expo Center between November c u rre n t w ife or m inor c h ild re n . disabled and unable to do substantial don ’ t plan to retire orcut back on their 4 and 7. And there’s a free shuttle from the TYiMet stop at Jantzen Beach. For Social Security or S upple work. The law requires that Social work until later in the year. So come to the 49th Annual Catlin Gabel Rummage Sale, r r i CATLI N Q uestion: I’m 63 years old and Security disability cases be reviewed m ental S ecu rity Incom e A ssis But be forewarned. Your thumb and forefinger are going to get GABEL I’ve been off work for the past few periodically to sec that beneficiaries tance telep h o n e 1-800-772-1213. quite a workout. J SCHOOL For speech and hearing im months with some medical problems. are still disabled. The frequency of I want to go back to work, but my the review depends on the severity of paired a ssistan ce, call 1 -800-325- doctor says I should retire. If I apply your impairment and the likelihood 0778. Social Security Questions And Answers PENNY PINCHEN ALERT: THE CATLIN GABEL RUMMAGE SALE IS NOVEMBER 4-7.
