QUAD CITIES, USA: The first gold coin of the season was dropped in the red kettle at Bettendorf, IA's Schnucks Market. That is the first time on record that a gold coin was found on the very first day of The Salvation Army's most important fund raising activity of the year. The coin, a ¼ ounce American Gold Eagle, will be used for The Salvation Army's work in the Quad Cities.

This single coin helps to make possible The Salvation Army's life-transforming services, such as food and shelter, to people in the Quad Cities who have no where else to turn during their time of hardship.

The Red Kettle campaign runs from November 9th through December 24th and volunteer bell ringers are desperately needed. Please go to www.ringbells.org for easy sign up.

DID THE GOLD COIN TRADITION START in the Quad Cities or in Crystal Lake, IL?

Somebody beat us to Wikipedia, but here in the Quad Cities, we think it was a Quad Citian that started this tradition!

WIKIPEDIA STATES: A tradition has developed in the United States where, in some places, gold coins are anonymously inserted into the kettles in which the bell ringers collect donations. The tradition appears to have started in the Midwest when the first known drop
of a gold coin was put into a kettle in Crystal Lake, Illinois in 1982.[2] Since this drop, many others have taken to dropping not only gold coins,[3] but also other bullion and rare coins, gold medals,[4] and jewelry.

The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities would like to know - does anyone remember the first time they heard about the gold coin being dropped in the kettle? If you do, please call Holly at 563-324-4808.

Washington, D.C - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced that his office is now accepting applications from Iowa college students to participate in a Congressional internship program in his Washington, D.C., or Iowa offices.  The internship program is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates, regardless of major.

"As a former teacher, I have seen the benefits that internships can provide by giving students a firsthand look into the government process," said Loebsack.  "I encourage all hardworking, motivated students and recent graduates to apply."

Interns in the Washington, D.C. office will have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and the federal government by working closely with the legislative, communications and constituent services staff members.  Interns in the Iowa offices will have the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about how a Congressional office provides constituent services and interacts with members of the community.

Interested candidates should email their cover letter, resume, a short writing sample and a letter of recommendation to LoebsackInternship@mail.house.gov.  Please indicate which location you are applying for in the subject line.

 

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Affordability Summits continue at Governors State, Chicago State, Northern Illinois

 

CHICAGO - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will visit three northern Illinois universities this week as she brings her fall College Affordability Summits to a close. Simon is calling on federal, state and higher education officials to make higher education affordability a higher priority.

 

Simon's visits to Governors State University, Chicago State University and Northern Illinois University come just three weeks after the College Board released a report indicating that public and private universities nationwide have increased costs more than 4 percent this school year, with community college costs up 5 percent.

 

To make ends meet, students have taken on more debt, carrying an average of $26,682 in student loans in 2010 according to the Pew Research Center.

 

Through increased transparency, targeted state aid and a permanent federal tax credit for middle class families, Simon believes college could be more affordable for Illinois students.

 

"As a state, we want to increase the proportion of working-age adults with a college degree or credential to 60 percent, up from 41 percent, by 2025. The only way we can achieve this goal is if college is affordable," said Simon, a former Southern Illinois University law professor and a member of a state task force evaluating MAP grant eligibility. "We must work together to rein in the costs of a higher education."

 

Governors State University Affordability Summit

DATE: Tuesday, Nov. 13

TIME: 3:45 p.m.

PLACE: Hall of Governors, 1 University Parkway, Governors State University, University Park

 

Chicago State University Affordability Summit

DATE: Thursday, Nov. 15

TIME: 10:30 a.m.

PLACE: Sun Room, Library - 4th floor, 9501 S. King Dr., Chicago State University, University Park

 

Northern Illinois University Affordability Summit

DATE: Friday, Nov. 16

TIME: 10 a.m.

PLACE: Latino Resource Center, 515 Garden Rd., Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

 

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'Care is Available in Every State,' says Former Physician

With all the talk about health-care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, it seems few people know coverage is available in every state as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, says Dr. Dixie Swanson, a former television health reporter and physician, and a lupus patient.

"People can apply for the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan, which will not deny you coverage because you have asthma, diabetes or some other condition, and will not charge you more simply because of it," says Swanson, the author of "The Accidental President Trilogy," (www.dixieswanson.com). "In Washington D.C. and 23 states - including Florida, Massachusetts and Texas - it's run by the federal government. Twenty-seven states run their own PCIP program."

Policies vary from state to state and premiums may vary, but coverage can cost less than $200 a month. But a shockingly low number of people know about the coverage, Swanson says. As of July 31, there were 82,000 people enrolled. Maine had only 42 enrollees; California had the most, 11,118.

"Getting and keeping health insurance is Job One for many patients with chronic illness. This is a real step forward," Swanson says.

Here are some important things to know about PCIP:

• You are eligible for PCIP coverage ONLY if you have been without insurance coverage for the past six months. If you have coverage - even if it does not cover your condition - you are not eligible, and if you're in a state high-risk pool, you're not eligible.

• Rules vary depending on who administers the plan. In states with the federally administered program, you must submit one of the following with your application: 1) An insurance company's letter denying you coverage from within the past 12 months, 2) An offer of insurance with a rider disallowing your condition, provided you didn't accept a policy, 3) If you're under 19 or you live in Vermont or Massachusetts, a letter from a doctor, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner stating your condition, and 4) If you're under 19 or you live in Vermont or Massachusetts, an offer of insurance that you didn't accept because the premium was too high (provided it's at least double the cost of a standard option PCIP premium),

• In states with the federally administered program, if you're application is accepted, you'll receive a letter within two to three weeks. If you submitted your application and all documentation before the 15th of the month, your coverage can start by the 1st of the following month (i.e. by Nov. 15, coverage starts Dec. 1). If you apply after the 15th, it will start by the first of the month after that (i.e. Jan. 1).

• PCIP is designed to be temporary. The Affordable Health Care Act calls for private insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions beginning in 2014, at which time PCIP will not be necessary.

• To find out more, visit the plan's official website, www.pcip.gov

About Dixie Swanson

Dixie Swanson was a pediatrician for 10 years and the Family Health Reporter for NBC's Houston affiliate. She also spent time working for a Washington lobbyist with access to the White House.  Dixie is the author of "The Accidental President Trilogy - a Political Fable for Our Time."