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AUGUST 1,2010
Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority
Skookum: It's yourTribe's
money let's keep it that way
By Mark Johnston
Every time a Grand Ronde Tribal member visit a doctor, hospital or
receives other types of car covered by the Tribal member health plan
Skookum your medical, dental, optical billa get paid with your
Tribal money.
It's true. It's your Tribe's money that is used to pay these medical
bills, diverting funds from other Tribal programs, such as educational
scholarships, pensions and per capita.
The Skookum plan is self-funded. Tribal members might ask, "Why don't
we just purchase a plan from a commercial vendor like Blue Cross?" The
answer is simple: It saves your Tribe millions of dollars to run the plan
and access available discounts rather than pay a big middleman.
That being said, we can still do better. How? Originally, the Tribal
member health plan (now Skookum) was designed to be the secondary
payer, which means if a Tribal member had access to another insur
ance (Medicare, Medicaid, Dlue Cross, a spouse's health plan from their
employer, etc.), that plan would pay first and the Tribal member health
plan would pick up the balance, up to the plan benefit limits.
However, due to discrepancies regarding who is the legal primary
payer, the Tribal member health plan (Skookum) in many cases has
paid as primary despite that original intent.
Recent health care reform has clarified the situation, stating that
Tribally funded health plans are considered a payer of last resort. Con
sidering this, the Grand Ronde Tribal Council has determined that it is
essential for the long-term sustainability of the Tribal member health
plan, which is your Tribe's money, that Skookum become a secondary
payer whenever another potential payer is available.
This decision is critical as the Skookum plan currently has a budget of
$22 million annually. Calculating in the annual cost of medical inflation,
it won't be long before your Tribal member health plan expenses eat
up the vast majority of Tribal revenues available, potentially reducing
the funds available for other Tribally funded programs, like per capita
and Elder pensions.
But there is good news. We have a chance to significantly save your
Tribe's money without affecting a Tribal member's overall out-of-pocket
expense for health care costs. It can be accomplished by moving the
Skookum plan into a secondary payer status.and letting other entities
cover the lion's share of medical costs.
Obviously, this is easier said than done and it won't be a simple or easy
process. We will need every Tribal member's assistance as we gather
information regarding other potential primary payers.
Tribal Council has asked that the changes to the Skookum plan for
secondary payer status become effective January 1, 2011. This gives us
six months to gather information, plan, make process change recom
mendations and share information with the Tribal membership.
It is a lot to accomplish, but with your help and support, it can be
done. After all, it is your Tribe's money. D
Monthly movie night survey
The Community Action Team (CAT) is working in cooperation with
Rodney Ferguson, CEO of Spirit Mountain Casino, to coordinate a
free "Monthly Movie Night" for Grand Ronde community families.
The movie would consist of "first run" movies, which means the
movies that are still playing in the theaters.
We need your help by answering the following questions:
Name: -
Enrollment : Zip Code:
1. Would you attend a monthly movie night activity?
Yes ONo
If yes, would you attend this activity on a monthly basis if
we had it monthly?
Yes a No
2. Would you be interested in volunteering to help with this
activity?
Yes fJNo
Other comments:
Please return your completed survey to: Attn: Monthly Movie
Night, 28450 Tyee Road, Grand Ronde, OR. 97347 or call: 503-879-2467
(Note: The sooner we get the surveys back the sooner we can
moye forward.)
Down Payment Assistance Program
The Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority (GRTIIA) has 2010
Down Payment Assistance available for applicants with moderate
to low incomes. Although the budget for Tribally funded Down
Payment Assistance has been committed for 2010, HUD funds may
be available for qualified Tribal applicants whoso gross household
income either meets, or is less than the guidelines below:
Family size Gross income
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
$39,900
$15. GOO
$51,300
$56,950
$61,550
$G6,100
$70,650
$75,200
Please call Nancy Holmes, Homeownership Coordinator, at 503-879-2445,
to p re-qualify for HUD funded assistance.
Units available now!
The Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority is accepting ap
plications for Rental Housing Units in Grand Ronde
1-5 bedroom sized units, many upgrades, parkingstorage close
to Tribal services.
The units include washerdryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, in
floor radiant heat, private patio and great views. If you work for
the Tribe or casino, you pay no State Income Tax!
The following screening criteria is required for the Market
Rate Units: Credit history, landlord history, criminal history,
income (at least 3 times monthly rent). One adult member of the
household must be an enrolled CTGR Tribal member.
HUD assisted rental applicants must meet low-income and
other federal requirements.
Call GRTHA for applications or for further information at 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2401 or 503-879-2401.
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
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. . Gordon Meadows Area
Aug. 6 - Aug. 9 or Aug. 23 - Aug. 25
The U.S. Forest Service and the South Santiam Watershed Council are
offering backpacking trips to families who want to learn more about
the Willamette National Forest All experience levels are welcome. The
trips focus on learning Leave No Trace backpacking principles and
teach everything from how to pick a camp site and set up a tent to how
to use a compass and identify some local plants.
Trips are limited to 10 participants. Backpacks, tents camping stoves,
sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and water filters are available for use at no
charge. You must provide your own food and wear appropriate back
packing clothing. The trips are appropriate for ages 8 and above .
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