Ex-teachers agree with recent letter (01/31/06)

To the editor:

We would like to thank Dennis and Karen Schwieterman for their thoughtful and informative letter.

Thank you for taking the time to do the needed research and your obvious concern for the quality of education at Jay County High School.

Our response is: Amen.

Steve Ford and Jane Switzer

Redkey

Library thanks

To the editor:

The Jay County Public Library would like to thank everyone who participated and helped with the coffee tasting event. The Glass Bonsai and Sugar ‘n Slice co-sponsored the event and graciously provided the coffee and pastries for the evening.

In addition, the Redkey Extension Homemakers provided a variety of breads and fudge.

More than 80 people turned out for the event, helping to make it as successful as last year. It’s great when the people of Jay County can come together to support library events and we appreciate their participation.

Thanks again to everyone who attended the event; the Glass Bonsai for the coffee and tea; Sugar ‘n Slice for the pastries; all the ladies who donated items from the Redkey Extension Homemakers; and Friends of the Jay County Public Library

Miranda Hummel, adult

services librarian, Jay

County Public Library

Doctors outraged

To the editor:

Doctors observe more than physical suffering. Everyday we witness the burden carried by the near-poor in America. We see people who work long hours to support their families, but are devastated by one serious hospitalization. We know people unable to pay rising health care premiums who were forced into the ranks of the uninsured.

We can also name patients who forego the basics — like food and heat — to pay their health care premiums. These people prioritize their bills, believing the dollars they spend for health insurance are used to cover the costs of medical care — for themselves or others like them.

Imagine how they feel each time they read a health insurer spent its money on yet another executive bonus. Most recently, Wellpoint issued a check for $5.6 million to its new East Region CEO.

Indiana physicians also feel outraged, but particularly this time since the Wellpoint millions went to an executive who is a physician.

The more than 8,000 of the Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) want to be sure Hoosiers know they deplore the exorbitant bonuses and profits of health insurers. We are saddened to think those dollars could be used to relieve suffering and hardship — in Indiana and across the nation.

ISMA physicians invite insurance executives to join us in our medical offices for a day — or a few hours. Come meet Hoosiers who carry the burden of high premiums and deductibles or learn what it’s like to be uninsured. Perhaps the experience would spark change in the continued allocation of hard-earned insurance dollars to unconscionable perks and bonuses.

Kevin R. Burk, M.D.,

president, ISMA[[In-content Ad]]