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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 2020)
A2 FAMILY Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Eastern Oregon hospitals launch Summit Health New Medicare Advantage plans available in Grant County By Jade McDowell EO Media Group Eastern Oregon hospitals are partnering to launch a new health insurance option. The newly formed Sum- mit Health will offer Medi- care plans to residents of Uma- tilla, Morrow, Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Sherman, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler counties. The plans will be available when open enrollment for Medicare begins on Oct. 15. Harry Geller, CEO of CHI St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton, said the hospitals involved have already had a unique and “very successful” partnership with each other and Moda Health in improv- ing outcomes for Medic- aid patients through the East- ern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization. “That mutual respect and collaboration is a fun- damental reason it has been so successful,” he said. “It’s a very refreshing working relationship.” Those same founders of Summit Health are St. Anthony, Good Shepherd Health Care System, Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics, Saint Alphonsus Health Sys- tem, GOBHI, Eastern Ore- gon IPA, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic and Moda. Geller said right now in Eastern Oregon there aren’t many senior citizens partic- ipating in Medicare Advan- tage plans, and Summit Health will be able to offer them more choices. He said the provid- ers were excited and optimistic about the benefits to residents. “There’s a big gap in the market for this sort of plan,” EO Media Group/Ben Lonergan St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton is among several Eastern Ore- gon hospitals partnering to launch a new health insurance option. he said. Medicare Advantage is an all-in-one type of Medicare plan offered by private health insurance companies under a contract with Medicare. Those plans bundle parts A, B and D of Medicare coverage together and sometimes offer addi- tional benefits, such as dental or vision that traditional Medi- care doesn’t cover. Dennis Burke, CEO of Good Shepherd Health Care System in Hermiston, said offering Medicare Advantage plans through Summit Health will offer area senior citizens more options, but it also gives greater local control and flexi- bility to the hospitals involved. By receiving a flat, con- tracted rate from Medicare instead of per-procedure reim- focus on Medicaid patients, such as those on the Oregon Health Plan, but Burke said the EOCCO partners have learned a lot from that partnership that can be applied to the popula- tion using Medicare. “I think we’ve gained quite a lot of experience doing that,” he said. Sean Jessup, president of Summit Health, said the insur- ance group is a partnership of local providers with a track record of working successfully together, that patients already know and trust. He said there have been “limited options” for for Medicare Advantage in Eastern Oregon in the past. “This product is for Eastern Oregon, and operated by East- ern Oregon providers,” he said. Open enrollment for Medi- care begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. Medicare enrollees can visit yoursummithealth.com or talk to their local insurance agent about plans offered by Summit Health. bursement, Burke said they can use the money more cre- atively for preventative care and measures that can help improve outcomes for patients before they need an expensive treatment. One example he gave was the hospital’s CareVan pro- gram, which gives patients free rides to appointments to ensure they don’t end up canceling a doctor’s appointment or not seeking treatment in the first place because they don’t have a ride. A missed appointment can mean a missed opportu- nity to catch a problem early, resulting in more expensive and invasive treatment down the road. Coordinated-care organi- zations, such as Eastern Ore- gon Coordinated Care Orga- nization, were founded on a similar idea of reducing health care costs through preventative care and overcoming barriers to care, such as limited trans- portation. Those organizations McCracken takes top spot in barrel racing Selecting the right face coverings for children By Steven Mitchell Blue Mountain Eagle A Grant Union High School student took the top spot in barrel racing this weekend at the Southern Oregon High School Rodeo in Cottage Grove. Bailey McCracken, a freshman, took first place in average time in barrel racing, an event where a horse and rider attempt to run a pattern around barrels in the fastest time. She finished with an 18.07 in her first go-round and an 18.10 in her second. This was McCracken’s first rodeo. “I was pretty nervous,” she said. “But it was really cool, because it was my first one, and I was compet- ing against people who are older than me.” McCracken said she had just got her horse, Chex, about five weeks ago, and they have practiced together quite a bit this summer and competed at other events. “It’s been going pretty good,” she said. “I’ve placed pretty high in the barrel races I’ve been to.” Another Grant Union freshman, Sarah Clark, finished in the top 10 in pole bending, a timed event where a Blue Mountain Eagle Contributed photo Sam McCracken, left, and John Day Les Schwab Manager Ken Kirby pose for a picture in front of the saddle the tire store sponsored this year. The saddle was on display after McCracken took first in cow cutting at the Oregon State High School Rodeo Finals in Prineville in June. Bailey McCracken of John Day shows off the jacket and check she won for placing both days in barrel racing at the South- ern Oregon High School Rodeo over the weekend. rider runs a weaving pattern around six poles arranged in a line. Clark fin- ished with a 22.17. Two more fall rodeos will take place this season. The next one will be in Cot- tage Grove Saturday and Sunday and in Condon Sept. 18-20. Sam McCracken, who brought home the state title in cow cutting at the Ore- gon State High School Rodeo State Finals in Prineville in June, will compete Saturday. He went to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in July and finished in the top third in reined cow. Respite care available for unpaid family caregivers Blue Mountain Eagle Unpaid family caregiv- ers can receive help through the Family Caregiver Support Program through Commu- nity Connection of Northeast Oregon. To apply, contact the care coordinator at the John Day Senior Center and complete a Family Caregiver Support Pro- gram application. If selected, an in-home assessment will be completed. If funding is unavailable, the application will be reviewed the following quarter. If the applicant does not meet the requirements, they will be notified. The family caregiver must be: • 18 or older caring for an adult 60 or older, • 18 or older caring for any adult with Alzheimer’s, demen- tia, age or related disorder, • a grandparent 55 or older caring for a grandchild 18 or younger, • a grandparent 55 or older caring for an adult child with disabilities or • a parent 60 years or older caring for an adult child with disabilities. Available program ser- vices include up to $720 reim- bursement per quarter for in-home respite services, up to $500 assistance with pay- ing for home modifications that help a family caregiver provide care to a loved one, up to $500 assistance with paying for durable medical goods that help a family care- giver provide care to a loved one and assistance paying for home-delivered meals. Contributed photo Art at the Crossroads begins Friday Blue Mountain Eagle The 22nd annual Art at the Crossroads open regional show kicks off with an opening reception from noon to 8 p.m. Fri- day, Sept. 4, at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave., Baker City, with live music by David Salo. The show will be avail- able to view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Sept. 4-26, in the upstairs gallery. From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 5, a dis- cussion and critique will take place with this year’s judge, Malcolm Phinney. Phinney of Wallowa County is a painter and sculptor. For more infor- mation, visit phinneygal- lery.com. Face coverings are Contributed photo This acrylic painting ‘It’s a Beau- tiful Day’ by Carrie Bellinger of Mt. Vernon earned first place in the two-dimensional category at Art at the Crossroads in Baker City last year. required. For more information, call 541-523-5369, email info@crossroads-arts.org or visit crossroads-arts.org. As schools begin the reopening process, COVID- 19 brings some additional requirements for students in all Grant County school districts. The Grant County Health Department wants to make it as easy as possible for parents and students to adapt to the “Face Covering Requirement” for students ages 5 and older, according to a press release. Face covering means a cloth, paper or disposable face covering that covers the nose and mouth. Wild Rags are included in this description. A face shield means a clear plas- tic shield that covers the fore- head, extends below the chin and wraps around the sides of the face. Many vendors have child specific masks and shields (some are attached to hats or headbands). Consider that a child may be extra sensitive to the way the covering feels on their face, head and ears when helping them select their masks. Some go around the ears, around the head or even attach to hats, headbands or glasses. Find the most com- fortable option, and encourage students to wear the covering when in class. Contact local schools for specific requirements or call the Grant County Health Department for further infor- mation at 541-575-0429. FACE COVERING (MASKS) AND KIDS Kids age 5 and older are required to wear a mask, and kids over 2 can wear a mask, as long as they are able to remove it themselves. Here are a few ideas to help your child feel comfortable if they feel unsure about wearing a mask or other face covering: • Let your child choose and decorate their mask. • Try different styles to see which is the most comfortable. • Put a mask on a favor- ite stuffed toy or draw one on a favorite book character. • Introduce the mask when everyone is re- laxed but not too sleepy. • Practice wearing the mask at home to help your child get used to it. • Play some “let’s pretend” games with characters who wear masks. • Point out other people wearing masks while you’re out. • Masks/coverings should not be ex- changed with others during school hours. Applications due Sept. 15 for Grant School District board vacancy Blue Mountain Eagle Grant School District 3 is accepting applications for a board of director vacancy. Applicants must be registered voters for one year. The term will run through June 30, 2021. Those inter- ested in applying may pick up an application from Superinten- dent Bret Uptmor, 401 N. Canyon City Blvd., Canyon City. The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 15. OBITUARIES Hillsboro hunter killed by elk in Tillamook Blue Mountain Eagle A wounded elk killed a hunter Saturday in Tillamook. Mark David, 66, of Hill- sboro was archery hunting on private property in Tilla- mook Saturday and wounded a five-by-five bull elk but was unable to locate it before dark, according to an Oregon State Police press release. David and the land- owner attempted to find the wounded bull the next morn- ing. At about 9:15 a.m., David located the bull and attempted to kill it with his bow. The elk charged David and gored him in the neck with its antlers. The landowner attempted to help David, but he sustained fatal injuries and died. The elk was killed, and the meat was donated to the Tillamook County Jail fol- lowing the investigation. OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, Tillamook Fire and Contributed photo Rescue and the Tillamook County Medical Examiner. This elk killed a hunter Sunday. Last Week’s Temps John Day ...........................................................HI/LO Tuesday ........................................................... 89/59 Wednesday ..................................................... 89/54 Thursday .......................................................... 86/54 Friday ............................................................... 90/51 Saturday .......................................................... 88/54 Sunday ............................................................. 77/45 Monday............................................................ 73/53 24/7 F ORECAST A UTOMATED : 541-575-1122 R OAD CONDITIONS : 511; TRIPCHECK . COM NOAA W EATHER R ADIO FOR J OHN D AY 162.500 MHz Joe Humbert Joe Humbert, 35, of Unity passed away on Aug. 30 in Bend. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at the St. Andrews Cemetery in Canyon City. To leave an online condolence, visit driskillmemorialchapel.com. About Obituaries News obituaries of 300 words or less are a free service of the Blue Mountain Eagle. The paper accepts obituaries from the family or funeral home. Information submitted is subject to editing. Obituaries submitted to the Eagle with incorrect information may be corrected and republished as paid memorials. Obituaries longer than 300 words may be published as paid memorials. Send obituaries by email, office@bmeagle.com; fax, 541-575-1244; or mail, 195 N. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845. For more information, or to inquire about a paid memorial, call 541-575-0710. W EATHER F ORECAST FOR THE WEEK OF S EPT . 2 - 8 Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Sunny Sunny Hot Sunny Sunny Sunny Sunny 94 95 101 96 96 91 94 49 55 59 58 56 44 50
