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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1996)
Page 2 March 1, 1996 - SMOKE SIGNALS . 1 1 i Letters to the Editor Special thanks from former student I want to take this time to thank the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I could not have been able to complete my degree program without the assistance and the support I received from our Tribe's Education Program. I especially want to thank Dean Azule, his staff, and the members of the Education Committee. These people work tirelessly to advance education programs for the members of the Tribe. When 1 returned to college my husband and I had three young children. I worked part-time and attended classes full-time. Needless to say there were days when I felt overwhelmed and not sure if 1 had what it took to reach my goals. During this time I could count on the Education Program staff to be there, to cheer me up, and tell me to "hang in there." I graduated from Eastern Oregon State College in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I currently direct the Native American Program at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande. Once again, I am grateful and I thank you. Sincerely, Jackie Leno-Grant Alcohol at the casino Dear Editor, I have just finished reading and responding to the letter written to you by Vonnie Edmondson. Although I can see her point of view about money spent for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, I ask her, and others who feel this way, to question this thought: Wouldn't it be just as easy, if not easier, for these people to go to their local store and purchase alcohol at an even cheaper price than it would be offered at the casino? And no matter if we serve alcohol or don't serve alcohol, these people need now and always need our help, and most of all, support. Thank you, Trina Green Cloverdale, Oregon Senior Health Security Program Information Smoke Signals is a publication of the Confed erated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. We have established an Editorial Policy to encourage input from readers about stories printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal issues. Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoke Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Tribal Seniors, The Tribal Council is moving forward with plans to begin a Health Security Program for tribal member seniors 65 and over. Information packets and forms were sent to all seniors regarding the Medicare requirements for the program. Following are some common questions: Who is eligible? All Tribal member seniors, age 65 and older, regardless of where they live. The seniors must have Medicare Parts A & B coverage. Why must I have Medicare Parts A & B coverage? The Health Security Program the Tribe is considering is a supplemental program to Medicare Parts A & B. The program will help to cover certain costs and services not provided by Medicare Parts A & B. What if I do not currently have Medicare Parts A & B? If you do not have Medicare coverage, it is important that you sign-up for it no later than March 31, 1996. The Social Security Administration has an enrollment period for sign-up which ends March 3 1 of each year. If you do not enroll during the sign up period, you cannot enroll until the following year. Tribal staff have sent enrollment forms to all seniors so they may sign up. If you did not receive one, please contact Valorie Sheker at the phone numbers below. I do not have Medicare Part B coverage because I cannot afford it. What should I do? As part of the senior Health Security Program, the Tribe is looking into paying the Medicare Part B costs for all seniors. This is to insure all seniors can be eligible for the supplemental benefit package. If you sign up by March 31, 1996 for Medicare, you would not be eligible for services until July 1 , 1 996. By then, the Tribe will cover the Medicare costs. The Tribe is working with the Social Security Administration to make arrangements to cover the Medicare Part B costs for all seniors directly. This way, seniors would not have the amount deducted from their Social Security checks. The information packets sent to all seniors contain forms asking for your approval of the Tribe to make the Medicare Part B payments for you. What type of health benefit package will the Tribe provide? Specific information on the benefit package is still being worked on. The Tribe hopes to provide seniors with more information during the next month. As mentioned, the plan would cover certain costs and services not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. The Tribe also hopes to provide a program that requires less paperwork and is easier for seniors to work with. What type of information does the Tribe need from me? All seniors 65 and older were sent information packets and three forms. Please complete the forms and return them as soon as possible to the Tribe. The forms include the following: Medicare Premium Payment Authorization Form: This form would allow the Tribe to make the Medicare Part B payments on your behalf. Social Security Administration Consent Form: This form will allow the Social Security Administra tion to release information to the Tribe on your Medicare coverage so the Tribe can be certain of the type of coverage you do have. Enrollment in Medicare Form: This is an application for enrollment in Medicare. Please complete this form even if you are currently in Medicare. This is to ensure that each tribal senior is receiving all their benefits they are entitled to. Will the Tribe provide a Health Security Program for members under age 65? Yes. Tribal staff are working on a Health Security Program for all other tribal members, regardless of where they live. More information on this program will be made available during the next few months. The Tribe hopes to begin a program sometime this year. Who do I call for more information? For further information on the senior Health Security Program, please call Valorie Sheker at (503) 879-521 1 or 1-800-422-0232 toll free. s If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you won't fl miss a single issue of your favorite newspaper. Smoke Signals is available I to anyone at no cost. Just fill out this form below with your name and i address, then mail it back to the Smoke. Signals. 1 I I 1 e . b i b B B I 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 ATTN: Kim Mueller OLD ADDRESS: B B B B B B fl I B B fl H fl B fl I gMOKE SIGNAL ElBBDHBBHBBB NEW ADDRESS:
