Commissioners discuss health insurance, veterans issues, student exchange program

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Members of the Highland County Veterans Service Commission met Wednesday, Aug. 12 with Highland County Commissioners Shane Wilkin, Jeff Duncan and Tom Horst and provided the board with an update on services and benefits to local veterans.

In a report presented by Director Brian Fox, the commission showed for 2014, a total of $28,704,581.91 in total federal dollars awarded to veterans in Highland County. County dollars spent by Highland County Veterans Service Office in 2014 totaled $312,681.02.

"For every dollar spent by the Highland County Veterans Service Office, the VA awarded $91.80 directly to our veterans, which is primarily spent in Highland County," Fox said. "In 2014, the Highland County Veterans Service Office spent 91.67 percent of its .5 mill budget, returning $28,415.98 back to the county's general fund."

According to Veterans Service Commission member Gary Smaltz, the annual report for 2014 indicated there are 3,524 veterans in Highland County, of which the Veterans Service Office provided services to 2,300 veterans. Services range from emergency financial assistance, benefits claims assistance, transportation and burial assistance.

Smaltz thanked the Veterans Service Office staff for "doing a tremendous job for all veterans who come into the office."

Smaltz also suggested that quarterly or semiannual meetings be scheduled in order to bring several of the county agencies together for discussions on how to better provide services to local veterans. Wilkin said the county would work on that.

Board president Ray Alexander, U.S. Army veteran Gerold Wilkin, Barb Suttle, Becky Williams, Ekko Lane and Steph Roland also attended the meeting.

On behalf of Support Our Troops of Highland County, Roland presented a certificate of appreciation to commissioners for their help with this year's Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute at Liberty Park.

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• In other business, United Healthcare representatives Stephanie Curtin and Brandy Gause and Brown Raybourn representatives David Brown and Belinda McCollum presented an update on the biometric health screening results for county employees and family members on the county's health insurance plan.

Overall, the health screenings did not indicate anything alarming or any sweeping changes from previous years, according to Stephanie Curtin of United Healthcare.

Curtin discussed results of body weight indicators, exercise and physical inactivity and stress issues associated with those on the plan. She stressed preventative compliance, and increased program participation and intervention. In the spring biometric screening, the county had 117 of an anticipated 130 participants, which was a positive sign, she said.

Commission president Wilkin asked United Healthcare representatives and Brown Raybourn if there's any progress on local contracts with Highland District Hospital physicians.

It was reported in June (see http://www.highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=28145&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=20&S=1) that Highland District Hospital will no longer be network doctors through United Healthcare.

Eighteen of the 21 doctors have been utilized by county employees.

"They are not willing to negotiate at all," Gause said.

"We're not privileged to the negotiations," Wilkin said. "We have heard United Healthcare is not willing to negotiate. We don't know. It is a big concern of ours as we try to keep dollars in the community."

According to Gause, "We have come back with several offers that are within a normal range for physicians in this area. It shouldn't be publicly negotiated. I do know some numbers that were put out are not accurate. We have made a competitive offer. I'm told that what they are asking is not in the realm of what others are asking. We have come back several times. Every single one, it's been, 'it's either this or nothing.' It's not the going rate for this area. It's just not."

"Our concern is for our employees to have the best care and also to keep dollars in the area," Horst said.

"It's a little hard for us to keep physicians out here," Wilkin said.

"Please keep our office in the loop with what you are hearing," Brown asked.

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• Commissioners also signed a proclamation for 13-year-old Yuiko Higashi, an exchange student from Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, Japan. Yuiko is staying with the family of Todd and Bethanie Wilkin. The Wilkins' daughter, Weslie, is Yuiko's host friend.

Todd Wilkin, the Hillsboro safety and service director, explained to the board that Yuiko is part of an international exchange program between Labo International Exchange Program and the OSU Extension 4-H program.

Her father works for the government in Hachioji-shi. The representative of the Japanese program had sent a letter to Lynchburg Mayor Gary Jones, and Wilkin said Yuiko is experiencing local government in the area, including attending recent Hillsboro city council and commissioner meetings.

Yuiko enjoys sports, swimming and reading and said she enjoys being in America.

Last year, the Wilkin family, through the 4-H international exchange program, hosted Haruna Koike from Chiba, Japan.

According to their website, Labo is "a family based Japanese youth organization" for children ages 3-18 "to improve the English-language ability as well as to learn about other cultures and expand their personal horizons."

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• Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins and legal assistant Kathryn Allen updated the board on their efforts to reduce the number of delinquencies related to the Rocky Fork Wastewater sewerage assessments.

Since June, after sending more than 200 letters, Collins said the office has collected $57,000, and 85 people have come in to set up contracts to make payments.

"It's truly amazing," Collins said. "The law says you can set up a contract, but it has to be current within five years. We want to help people stay in their homes."

According to Allen, the office also has found some vacant properties that will be moved into the foreclosure file. She said one person has already made a $10,500 back payment on multiple tracts. Another has made a $9,000 payment.

"Most of the time, people are happy to have a plan to get out of debt," Allen said.

"We're pretty proud of Kathryn," Collins said.

"We are, too," commissioners responded.

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Commissioners passed the following resolutions, each by a 3-0 vote:

• A resolution to approve a contract with Gustin Controls for surge protection and lightning strike prevention at the Highland County Justice Center for a total amount of $350.

• A resolution for Job and Family Services for a reimbursement of funds from the Child Support Enforcement Agency Administrative Account to Public Assistance in the amount of $12,739.19 for shared cost distribution.

• A resolution for the County Treasurer for a modification within the Treasurer's Budget in the amount of $10,000 from Supplies to Salaries.

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• Commissioners entered into an executive session to discuss pending litigation. Also in the executive session were Prosecutor Collins and Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley.