16 May 2012

The Affordable Care Act: Real Help for Real Rural People

By Elisha Smith

Report examines how many rural Americans benefit from provisions of the Affordable Care Act

Lyons, Nebraska -  Today, the Center for Rural Affairs released a new report that documents findings about how many Americans have used or benefited from particular provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Where possible, this report also estimates how many rural residents and families have used or benefited from Affordable Care Act provisions. These estimates on rural participation are unique to this report, extrapolating rural participation from general public participation data and, thereby, demonstrating the importance of these provisions to America's rural communities.

The report entitled, The Affordable Care Act: Real Help for Real Rural People, can be viewed and downloaded at: http://files.cfra.org/pdf/real-help-rural-people.pdf.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Since then numerous provisions have gone into effect or been implemented that impact health insurance coverage and provide new health care benefits for millions of Americans.

"As we have documented in a series of reports, many of these provisions are particularly applicable to rural people because of the demographics and unique economic circumstances of rural areas," said Jon Bailey, Director of Rural Research and Analysis at the Center for Rural Affairs and author of the report. "Of course, rural people and families in large numbers have also benefited from the more general provisions of the Affordable Care Act."

Key findings in the report include :

Provision People Helped Overall Rural People Helped
Young Adults with Health Insurance 2.5 million 440,000 additional
Medicare "Donut Hole" Beneficiaries 5.1 million seniors 1.1 million seniors
Medicare Annual Wellness Checks 2.3 million 500,000
Medicare Preventive Services 32.5 million seniors 6.8 million seniors
Preventive Services (Insured) 54 million 8.9 million
Lifting Lifetime Limits 105 million 17.3 million
Children with Pre-existing Conditions 17 million 3 million
Unreasonable Rate Increase Protection 76 million 12.5 million
Children's Preventive Services 40 million 6.6 million

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Some individuals will qualify for more than one provision

"On March 23rd the Affordable Care Act entered its third year as the nation's fundamental public health care policy," continued Bailey. "We believe it is crucial at this time to reflect on what the Affordable Care Act really does... what it actually has to offer, especially to rural Americans who have faced stern challenges in finding and accessing quality, affordable health care coverage."

This is the 16th report in a series dealing with how health care reform and the Affordable Care Act is impacting rural America. Visit http://www.cfra.org/policy/health-care/research to review or download earlier Center for Rural Affairs health care reports.

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16 May 2012

Loebsack Calls for Extension of Program to Ensure Continued Iowa Job Creation

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack recently called on leaders in the House of Representatives to extend a program, which is designed to ensure faster disaster recovery through economic growth and development.  Created by Loebsack and Senator Grassley in the aftermath of the 2008 Floods, Midwestern Disaster Area Bonds allowed for $2.6 billion for Iowa in tax-free bonding authority to be used for job creation and economic development.

Unfortunately, this authority expires at the end of the year, despite only $800 million having been used in Iowa.  Loebsack called on the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee to extend this job creation tool until 2015. Governor Branstad also supports an extension of the authority.

"The State of Iowa has worked hard to utilize much of this authority, but has been hit doubly hard with devastating floods on top of the worst recession since the Great Depression," Loebsack wrote to the Committee.  "Providing for an extension of Midwestern Disaster Areas Bond authority makes sense on a number of fronts, the foremost being job creation and economic growth.  I respectfully urge the Committee to include this common-sense extension which has broad bipartisan support in the Congressional Delegation, the State of Iowa, and the Midwest."

This bonding authority has aided many projects in Iowa, including a recent announcement by Iowa Fertilizer that they are considering building a $1.3 billion fertilizer plant in Southeast Iowa.  This bonding authority is being used to help attract the plant to Iowa and is projected to create 165 long-term jobs, as well as 1,500 to 2,000 jobs during its construction.

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

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16 May 2012

"Smokin' Hot Harmony", May 19

By Amos Glanz

A free public concert entitled "Smokin' Hot Harmony" will top off the 2nd Annual Acappellooza Festival at Assumption High School Auditorium at 4pm, on Saturday, May 19.  Male and female high school singers from Assumption, Bettendorf, Rivermont Collegiate, United Township, Kimberly Center and Sherrard will demonstrate their mastery of 4-part, a capella harmony, in the barbershop style.

Event sponsors include Quad City Arts, ALCOA, Assumption High School, The Chordbusters and the Barbershop Harmony Society.  Other ensembles featured on the program are:  "A Touch of Fun" quartet, from the Quad Cities and "Indigo" quartet, from the Iowa City & Cedar Rapids region. For more information, call: (563) 340-8743.

One dose of Chordbusters weekly --  recommended by doctors for any man who can't stop singing!
http://www.thechordbusters.com

16 May 2012

Be There June 9th When The Next Miss Iowa Is Named

By Glenn Kass

Tickets for pageant in Davenport available now

Davenport, IA - The Miss Iowa Scholarship Program will host its statewide pageant June 7th-9th, 2012 here at the historic Adler Theatre.

Tickets are available now via the Adler Box Office, 136 E. Third St., Davenport, TicketMaster outlets and www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by mail order until May 25th. A ticket form is available to download and print at the organization's web site (www.missiowa.com) under the 2012 Pageant tab.

In June 2011, Jessica Pray of Johnston, was named the 63rd statewide titleholder. She then reached the Top 10 of Miss America ® 2012 this past January at Planet Hollywood Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, NV. At the completion of her year of service, Pray will have earned over $14,000 in scholarship dollars.

The Miss Iowa Scholarship Program is dedicated to community service and enriching the lives of women at several levels of participation from youth to adult. The Miss Iowa program is an official preliminary to Miss America ®.

The Miss Iowa program began with city representatives traveling to Atlantic City, NJ, such as Alta Sterling, Miss Sioux City 1924. In March 1996, the Miss Iowa program was recognized, by resolution of the Iowa Senate, as the "Official Hostess for the State of Iowa." Follow the program online at www.missiowa.com or on Facebook (Search: Miss Iowa Scholarship Program).

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16 May 2012

Club for Growth Releases Report On GOP Freshmen Asking "Just How Tea Party Are They?"

By Rick Martin
Club for Growth analysis of voting records finds many Freshmen Republicans have abandoned "Tea Party" values of fiscal responsibility

 

Washington, DC - Today, the Club for Growth released a report based on its 2011 Congressional Scorecard focusing on the voting records of the so-called "Tea Party" freshmen Republican class of 2010. After a careful review to see if their records match their rhetoric, the Club for Growth has found that for many of the freshmen Republicans, promises of fiscal responsibility have proven to be empty.

 

A Club for Growth review of the voting records of freshmen Republicans on economic issues found:

 

  • In 2011, freshmen Republicans received an average score of 71% on the Club for Growth's Congressional Scorecard. The average veteran received a 69%. This means the freshmen Republicans voted, on average, about the same as the Republicans who were already in Congress.
  • A majority of freshmen Republicans voted against the conservative Republican Study Committee budget.
  • Only 14 freshmen Republicans signed a pledge promising never to raise the debt ceiling until "Cut, Cap, and Balance" had passed.
  • "Tea Party star" Rep. Allen West received an anemic 64% for voting to raise the debt ceiling and by repeatedly voting against spending cuts.
  • The two freshmen in the Republican Leadership received vastly different scores, with Rep. Tim Scott receiving a 92% and Rep. Kristi Noem receiving a 60%.
  • Charlie Bass ran for the seat he lost in 2006 by declaring that the agenda of the tea party "is exactly the same as mine." He received a pathetic 48% in 2011.
  • The Ten Highest scoring freshmen Republicans were Reps. Amash (100%), Huelskamp (100%), Labrador (100%), Mulvaney (99%), Walsh (99%), Stutzman (99%), Quayle (98%), Duncan (97%), Gowdy (97%) and Ross (96%).
  • The Ten Lowest scoring freshmen Republicans were Reps. Rivera (47%), Grimm (46%), Stivers (45%), Runyan (45%), Gibson (44%), Hanna (44%), Fitzpatrick (43%), Dold (42%), Meehan (42%) and McKinley (37%).

 

The entire report can be viewed by visiting http://www.clubforgrowth.org/freshmanvotestudy/ or by clicking here.

 

"The Club for Growth holds members of Congress accountable for their actions, not their rhetoric,"  said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola. "The liberal media likes to pretend that these Republicans have fought for fiscally conservative policies, but the facts don't support their thesis. Just because the Republicans have a majority does not mean that more pro-growth policies have been passed. For example, a majority of Republicans voted to raise the debt ceiling, against spending cuts, and for wasteful subsidies. Republicans rail against the National Labor Relations Board, but some voted to keep funding it. By distributing this report to Club members and the public, we hope to raise awareness about the records of the Republican freshmen and believe their constituents will ask what's happened since they went to Washington."

 

The Club for Growth is the nation's leading group promoting economic freedom through legislative involvement, issue advocacy, research, and education.

The Club's website can be found at http://www.clubforgrowth.org/
16 May 2012

Attention Wedding Disc Jockeys and Masters of Ceremonies

By Kearston Zerzanek

Orion, IL Resort looking for Wedding DJs for a New Reality Show

May 15, 2012, Orion IL- My Wedding DJ a new reality based television show being filmed at Hillcrest Events Center is holding open auditions. The premise of our show is a wedding DJ competition highlighting all the different aspects of entertaining guests at weddings and other events. These skills will range from music knowledge, to complying with requests, to focusing on the audience and keeping them entertained while keeping the bride and groom happy. Eight DJs will be selected per show to compete in five elimination rounds ranging from loading and unloading equipment, correcting sound and technical issues, and knowledge of various genres of music. The final 3 DJs will be judged by a bride and the winner will be DJ'ing the wedding.

The show will be filmed over the course of five days and it will be a difficult process, but the experience and exposure is priceless. The competition is open to any DJ who believes they have the skill to entertain guests and make the big day special for the bride and groom. Equipment will be provided, but professionalism, knowledge of a variety of music, and patience with guests is an absolute must. If you're confident in yourself and your abilities, come out and see how far you can get into the competition.

If you think you have what it takes to be the best and defeat other DJs for the job, then come out to showcase your skills. If you have the skills, the confidence, and the will to win then come out to Orion May 22nd and 24th for open interviews. Interviews will be held from 10am to 2pm, then again from 4pm to 8pm each day. The Hillcrest Event Center is located at 16260 E 350 th St, Orion, IL.

Hillcrest Event Center is a family recreational event center. Hillcrest has tent and RV camping throughout the season, as well as an Olympic size swimming pool, Champion Executive Golf Course for all skill levels and a sports club and grill. Hillcrest is located just 10 miles from the Quad Cities Airport at 16260 E. 350th St. Orion, IL 61273. For more information visit us at  www.HillcrestEventsCenter.com or call (309)755-6550.

Hillcrest Event Center is also the home of reality TV show American Resort and My Wedding DJ.

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15 May 2012

2012 Bettendorf Rotary Lobsterfest June 16th - Tickets Available

By Glenn Kass

THE National Bank presents the meal that serves the community

Bettendorf, IA - As it prepares to host the Sixth Annual "Lobsterfest" presented by THE National Bank, the Bettendorf Rotary Club looks to another successful year of serving the meal that provides service to the Quad City Area community.
The New England-style lobster bake is set for Saturday, June 16th - 5:30 to 10 PM - at Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf. Tickets, priced at $70.00 each or a table of eight for $480.00, are available now by calling (563) 445-4264. The event is open to the general public.
THE National Bank is the new presenting sponsor. Additional major sponsors are RLS and Associates, Inc., Iowa American Water, Bowe Machine Company, Quad-City Times, Results Marketing, Rivermont Collegiate, McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Midland Communications, Senior Star at Elmore Place, OnMedia, WOC NewsRadio 1420, Isle of Capri, HyVee and Weerts Funeral Home.
In addition, "Lobsterfest" involves several groups such as the Scott Community College Culinary School, Culinary Kids of Family Resources, Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America that assist other volunteers in delivering the fresh meal of Maine lobsters. New this year will be acoustic entertainment provided by Quad City native and national recording artist Danika Holmes (www.danikaholmes.com).
Thanks to funds raised at last year's event, the Bettendorf Rotary Club's Charitable Giving Board awarded direct grants to area charities totaling $20,000. There also was $6,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education.
"Our club is fortunate to have great friends and businesses that go above and beyond to support this unique event," said BRC President Scott Naumann. "The evening is already memorable for everyone involved. Once people learn the Lobsterfest story, it truly brings our mission of service to life. We look forward to welcoming the community again on June 16th."
The Bettendorf Rotary Club (www.bettendorfrotary.com), chartered on May 22, 1957, has more than 100 members fulfilling the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" in a variety of local, regional and national community volunteer projects. The club meets each Wednesday at Noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant, 2211 Kimberly Road, Bettendorf. The club also has a page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bettendorfrotary).
Bettendorf Rotary Club is part of Rotary International (www.rotary.org), founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago businessman and University of Iowa alumnus. The international organization, now based in Evanston, IL, has more than one million members participating with 32,000 clubs located in more than 200 countries.
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15 May 2012

2nd Fiddle Sale drop-offs start next week

By QCSO

Volunteers for Symphony would love to take your donations of gently used items. This year 2nd Fiddle returns to the same location as last year, in the Village Shopping Center on Kimberly Road between Shoe Carnival and Godfather's Pizza. The most direct entrance is the stop light by the Family Restaurant. For a list of drop-off days and other volunteer information, please click here.

For 29 years, Volunteers for Symphony has been hosting the area's largest sale of gently used items to support the education programs of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association. This is your opportunity to buy from an enormous selection of furniture, home furnishings, antiques, jewelry, furs, clothing, books, toys, games, sports equipment, collectibles, and art pieces, to name just a few.

Tickets for the Preview Party on Thursday, June 14, are $10. Admittance on Friday and Saturday is free. Tickets are for sale at the door.

15 May 2012

Meet composer Marc Mellits at Rhythm Unleashed

By QCSO

Marc Mellits will be appearing at Rhythm Unleashed, a collection of his works performed by the musicians of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, in the RME's Redstone Room on May 19 at 8:00 p.m. Mellits' unique blending of classical instrumentation with high-energy, rock rhythms is as sensual as it is intelligent.

Heading this project is Principal Percussionist Aaron Williams with help from Principal Cellist Hannah Holman, Pianist Mary Neil, and fellow percussionist Tony Oliver. The team will perform a variety of Mellits' repertoire, including 5 Quiet Machines, Disciples of Gouda, Mara's Lullaby, and Paranoid Cheese.

Tickets for Rhythm Unleashed are $18 for adults and $7 for students. Buy them now online by clicking here.

15 May 2012

Loebsack Introduces Legislation to Connect Rural Schools to the Digital World

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack recently introduced legislation that will target rural schools to ensure they have access to the latest digital learning technologies.  The Schools of the Future Act will provide grants to transform the typical classroom experience into one that is more student-centered and provides teachers with more accurate information and feedback on student progress so that they can better address the needs of struggling students. Loebsack is co-chair of the bipartisan Rural Education Caucus.

"Technology has the power to vastly expand the educational options available to students in rural areas, providing students with a cutting-edge 21st Century education regardless of geography," said Loebsack.  "Digital technology holds great potential for rural schools, which often have trouble recruiting and retaining teachers and offering a variety of electives or advanced coursework."

This legislation builds off of the work already being done in Iowa.  For example, the Iowa Department of Education is working with the University of Iowa to develop the Iowa Online Advance Placement Academy to deliver Advanced Placement courses to high school students across the state, particularly rural and small schools that may not have the capacity to provide these courses themselves, using online technology. The Iowa Department of Education also runs Iowa Learning Online (ILO), which allows students from across the state to enroll in any number of distance education courses, including high school credit classes and post-secondary courses available through Iowa community colleges and universities.

Specifically, the legislation Loebsack introduced will provide funding for schools to implement digital learning strategies such as:

· providing expanded curriculum opportunities,

· providing accelerated or advanced coursework, or

· personalizing the learning experience by providing content that is tailored to an individual student's learning style, ability, and needs.

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