DeFazio touts healthcare reform;Friends and neighbors pitching in; LCC Board backs tax increases; and Oregon Coast Chamber Orchestra wins grant

Health Plan would aid Oregonians…

Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio says it has flaws, but the federal health care reform bill passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives is a good first step.
202 - “This isn’t perfect, I’m going to admit that, but it’s a good start.”

DeFazio says the bill outlaws what he calls unfair ‘pre-existing conditions’ restrictions and takes away insurance companies’ anti-trust immunity.
200 – “This bill would outlaw the worst abuses of consumers by the insurance industry.”

In addition to reforms, the Springfield Democrat says it will provide direct benefit to Oregonians by lowering the deficit by $104—billion over the first ten years, prevent tax increases and level a playing field that has been very uneven for residents of the state.
201 – “No longer will Oregon seniors and disabled on Medicare be denied access to doctors because the reimbursement rates were below the cost of providing that service.”

That’s because, he says, it increases rates paid to doctors and hospitals in Oregon and 16-other states that have been reimbursed at lower rates than others. Similar reforms must now make their way through the U.S. Senate where it’s estimated that Democrats have between 53 and 55 of the 60 votes needed.

When Elaine Beers and her 15-year old son got home October 30th, there was nothing left of their home. Located outside of any fire district boundary, a fire of unknown cause consumed it, leaving the two with nothing left. There was no insurance coverage, so Beers finds herself in the position of having to replace everything. It’s during a time like this that friends and neighbors often step up to help and that’s what’s happening. Greg Lindsey says a benefit concert featuring The Kush Band as well as Jim Ramirez is planned for Saturday night at the Mapleton Lion’s Club. The musicians will perform eight to midnight, and, Lindsey says, there’ll also be a dessert auction to help raise money for the family. An account has been set up at Siuslaw Bank to accept donations.

The Lane Community College Board of Directors has endorsed a pair of state-wide tax measures that will be decided by voters in January. Measures 66 and 67 are the results of citizen’s initiative drives earlier this year, asking voters to uphold decisions made by the Oregon Legislature in the 2009 session. LCC Board Chair Pat Albright says failure of the two measures would “result in damaging cuts to state and local services”. Lane would stand to lose about $2.9-million in state funding.

The Oregon Coast Chamber Orchestra was the recipient of a $1,000 grant to help pay for instruction and tickets to an upcoming production… The Music of Latin America. The grant was a part of $217-thousand that was handed out to 56 different recipients by the the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund. The fund has handed out more than $5.6-million in revenue generated from the Siletz Tribes’ Chinook Winds Casino since 2001.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Athlete of the Week:
Siuslaw Cross Country standout Raelyn Robinson is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week. The Viking Junior claimed the individual state championship at this weekend’s OSAA 4A State Cross Country Finals in Eugene with a time of 19:47, leading the Viking Girls to a second place finish. Honorable Mention is given to Joseph Campbell, who paced the Viking Boys to a 2nd place team trophy, finishing fourth overall at the Boys’ meet with a time of 16:40.

Pac Ten Football:
University of Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount has been reinstated and could take the field as early as this weekend’s Oregon Game against Arizona State. Blount had been suspended following Oregon’s embarrassing season opening loss at Boise State September 12th when he punched the Bronco’s Byron Hout. Ducks’ football coach Chip Kelly made the announcement Monday afternoon. The reinstatement was approved by University of Oregon officials as well as the Pac Ten.