Congress approves historic health care legislation
The Democratic-controlled Congress approved historic legislation extending health care to tens of millions of Americans who lack it and cracking down on insurance company abuses. The vote in the House was 219-212. Republicans were unanimously opposed. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature. Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio, a democrat, voted in favor of the bill.
205 – “This isn’t a perfect bill. That’s for sure. But it’s a good beginning on providing a system that makes sense for all Americans. For those who already have insurance, for seniors on Medicare and for those who have lost their jobs and have lost their insurance.”
Oregon Democrats Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader and David Wu also voted in favor of the bill. Republican Greg Walden voted against it saying the bill costs too much and “puts too much government between people and their health care”. The action late Sunday capped a yearlong quest by Obama and Democrats to overhaul the system and reshape one-sixth of the economy.
One of the components of the health care bill passed yesterday by congress was a fix to something that had caused many doctors in the Northwest to stop taking new patients who were over 65.
206 – “For the first time we’re fixing something called Geographic Disparities where Medicare pays a benefit three-and-a-half times as much in Miami, Florida as it does in Eugene, Oregon.”
Congressman Peter DeFazio said Oregon and 16 other states had been locked into a formula that provided lower payments to doctors and hospitals than most of the rest of the country. That same portion of the bill also eliminates co-pays for preventative services such as screenings for diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis as well as provides educational incentives for medical students to go into primary care or practice in rural areas.
A team from the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport rescued a young Stellar Sea Lion that had become entangled in fishing net. The net was wrapped around the 250-pound animal’s mouth and neck, preventing it from feeding. It was also snagged on rocks inside Sea Lion Caves. That ultimately made it easier for crews to isolate the sea lion, administer a mild sedative and cut the net away. It bounded back into the water, apparently no worse for the wear. Scientists said it appeared as if it had lost some weight, but would quickly recover.
The suspect who police say escaped by floating down the Siuslaw River rather than face questioning by police last week was taken into custody on dry land Thursday evening. Robert Alan Strebendt, also known as Robbie Cooksey was arrested without incident by Florence police in the Heceta Beach Area. Police say he’s the man who left a bag of copper wire that had just been stripped from beneath the former Lotus Seafood Restaurant.
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon trial that started last week
could see the release of secret Boy Scouts of America documents
that chronicle the sexual abuse of young boys by Scout leaders. The
lawyer for a man who was molested in the 1980s says the files show
how the organization has covered up abuse for decades. Kelly Clark
is seeking $14 million in damages on behalf of his client.
HERMISTON, Ore. (AP) - Blood from a blister could determine
whether a Umatilla Chemical Depot worker was exposed to mustard
gas. Two maintenance workers may have come into contact with the
gas and one of them developed the blister. He's back on the job.
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon high school teacher and coach
is facing 35 sex charges, including sodomy, unlawful sexual
penetration and sexual abuse. Prosecutors say Kevin Mathew Nice had
sexual contact with four high school-age girls he knew as a teacher
and coach at Pilot Rock High School.
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) - An Ashland Food Cooperative checker has
been charged with theft and accused of stealing more than $12,000
since last January. An investigation showed that cash was taken
from store registers while coupons were being scanned. Amounts
varied from $20 to $600.
ALSEA, Ore. (AP) - Benton County Sheriff's deputies last week
found 15 malnourished pit bulls, all bearing old scars or fresh
wounds. The Corvallis Gazette Times reports deputies also found
three dead dogs buried under trees. Deputies say they arrested
Corvallis resident Cody Hufeld who was arraigned Friday on 15
felony counts of dogfighting.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Two people are dead after their car crashed
on Highway 126 just west of Nimrod. Oregon State Troopers say the
single-vehicle crash occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Details are still sketchy but the crash knocked down at least one
power line. Troopers say they're still compiling information on the
victims and have not released any names.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Eugene police say two men punched and kicked
a 33-year-old man of Jewish descent in an apparent hate crime early
Sunday. Police arrested one of the men, holding him on charges of
second-degree assault, third-degree assault, first-degree
intimidation and unlawful use of a weapon. The man was assaulted
twice, within the span of a couple of hours. Police say the victim
said one of the men used anti-Semitic slurs, they’re still looking for the second suspect.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Portland Catholic priest says he can no
longer live a life of celibacy and is leaving the church. The
Oregonian reports Rev. Tom Farley gave led his last mass Sunday at
St. Clare Catholic Church to a packed church. Ordained in 1979,
Farley is the latest priest to leave the Catholic church in
Portland. About half a dozen priests have left the church in the
area, with some marrying.
BEND, Ore. (AP) - The Deschutes County Sheriff's office says a
64-year-old cross-country skier reported missing near Todd Lake
late yesterday has been found safe. Deputies say Bruce Miller was
found by Deschutes County Search and Rescue and U.S. Forest Service
searchers cold but unhurt on a snowmobile trail.
HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) - Hillsboro police are looking for a
22-year-old man who fled the scene of a hit-and-run accident on
foot, leaving behind his own family. They say Luis Fernando
Guerrero was driving with his wife and two children when his car
struck a 12-year-old boy who was playing basketball in the streets.
The boy sustained head injuries, but was conscious and alert when
police responded.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:
Prep Golf:
Reedsport’s Monica Vaughn was the individual medalist with an 86, but the Siuslaw Vikings edged the Braves by ten strokes in a girls’ golf match Friday at Ocean Dunes in Florence. Siuslaw’s Katie Hall was the highest Viking finisher in fourth place with a 114. Julianne Butler and Lindsay Saxon tied for fifth at 117.
College Baseball:
A pair of solo homeruns by Tyler Smith and Adalberto Santos, and a one-run performance by Matt Boyd on the mound led the number 18-ranked Oregon State Beavers to a 2-1 victory over Maine yesterday in Corvallis. The win was the fourth in a four-game series… The Beavers took both halves of a double-header Saturday, 7-5 and 12-2. They opened with an 18-3 win Friday.
In Eugene, the Oregon Ducks pulled out their own broom, sweeping Nevada in all four games, capping the series with a five-run shutout yesterday. In Saturday’s double-header the Ducks overcame a four-run deficit to win the opener 12-7; then went on to a 5-2 victory in the nightcap. They started things with a vigorous offensive attack Friday, posting a 16-2 win over the Wolfpack in the series opener.
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