THE PUBLIC PULSE The Public Pulse: On health insurance; Immigration change through legislation

On health insurance

Through most of my working years I was self employed. I paid double Social Security and my own health insurance. While in my early sixties, my health insurance premium had ballooned to over $2,500 a month. That was eighteen years ago. At that time, I realized what a gift Medicare was to the health insurance industry. They no longer had to insure people for end-of-life expenses.

So now I'm on Medicare part A and B. My Medicare part B premium is $174.70 a month. That pays 80% of the bill. My supplement policy that pays the other 20% is $388 per month.

Let that soak in.

If you have any chronic disease, such as diabetes, no other insurance carrier will insure you. So you are stuck with the one you have. Last year after I subtracted what they paid from the premiums I paid, they profited $2,000 from me. Then they raised my monthly premium $80. If I could pay Medicare $43 a month more for the other 20%, I would save $4,128 per year. This would not cost taxpayers anything. It would save doctors and hospitals the billing cost for 20% of the bill.

What kind of hold do the insurance companies have on Medicare? Why do we have such a system? AARP could push to change the system, but they make money promoting insurance supplements. People on fixed incomes could use the extra money. The health insurance companies have gotten enough of our money during our working years.

Richard Gehrman, Wahoo, Neb.

Change through legislation

A key concern for voters is the crisis at the border. President Biden is considered to not be tough enough on the border. However, the best way to make a significant change is through new legislation. Significant change to border policy has not been legislated since 1986. We were close to change under Bush and Obama but didn't get there. Now another bipartisan group in Congress has developed a new plan that would dramatically help the border situation.

I consider myself independent and I appreciate when lawmakers work together for the betterment of our country. Donald Trump told lawmakers to reject this bill since it may give Biden a win. Accordingly, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the majority of Republicans are opposing it. Sorry, but you can't complain about the border and do nothing about it. I hope voters realize Donald Trump and his minions are the problem. This is one of many reasons why the divisiveness of Trump must be stopped.

William Bechaz, Omaha

Constitutionally questionable program

Last year, the Nebraska Legislature enacted LB 753, providing tax credits (not just deductions) for contributions supporting students in parochial schools in the state. Although the state constitution prohibits contributions to non-state supported schools, LB 753 gets around that prohibition through use of intermediary groups who will be conduits for the money. In its first year, the program is capped at $25 million dollars in tax credits from the state, but the limit will rise to $100 million over the next few years.

At taxpayer expense, this bill promises to be a boon for private schools and for those who are affluent enough to donate. The tax benefits are far greater than those for contributions to such causes as cancer research, food banks or any other charitable endeavor.

At the same time, community agencies serving Nebraskans with developmental disabilities in every region of the state are struggling to survive. These agencies must meet stringent state standards as they provide housing, healthcare, job training, and a myriad of other services to thousands of our most vulnerable citizens. Yet the state-authorized pay rates for staff are low enough to put them in hiring competition with fast food and grocery chains. These staff must administer medications, implement sophisticated behavioral and teaching programs, and provide 24-hour-per-day services. Further, more than 2000 Nebraskans are on the waiting list for these services, unable to have their needs met. Year after year, legislators continue to say there are not sufficient funds to do better.

If we wish to know people's values, we need only look to what they do. The Nebraska Legislature has made clear its values. The choice is to privilege those sufficiently affluent to gain from a constitutionally questionable program supporting religious schools, while allowing programs serving our most vulnerable citizens to languish. It is not just embarrassing. It is disgraceful.

Kenneth D. Keith, Ph.D., Lincoln

Foregone conclusion?

After Donald Trump's Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary wins, it appears a foregone conclusion that he will be the Republican candidate for president. As a lifelong Republican, I'd rather not see that happen - not because I'm anti-Trump. I'm anti-divider.

We all know Democrats loathe him (to put it mildly), but worse is how his demeanor has split the Republican Party. After his convincing win in New Hampshire, Trump urged the party to unite against Joe Biden. I don't see that happening, with so many within his own party being anti-Trump. It doesn't take a political science guru to realize a Trump victory in November would do nothing to bridge the gap between the Democrats and Republicans.

I suggest that Republicans should find a candidate in the months ahead that can unify all Republicans (including the pro-Trumpers and maybe even some anti-Biden Democrats) and take back the White House.

A split Republican Party may not be able to do that.

John Fey, Plattsmouth

No one's stopping Trump

In a weekly magazine, there appears the often-asked question: Can anyone stop Trump's march to the GOP nomination? Unfortunately, no. Doesn't everyone know that by now? Can anyone stop Trump's march to the White House? Same answer.

Jan Grisinger, Omaha

Poor river management

OPPD called for heat conservation during the cold snap due to low Missouri river water flows regulated by the Army Corps.

I do not refer to the Army Corp of Engineers as engineers. Their management of the Missouri River is poor at best. Their river management continues to cause lots of problems.

Barbara Galbraith, Omaha

Assault on reproductive rights

I'm writing in response to a New York Times article which significantly downplayed the severity of Donald Trump's stance on abortion. The headline, "Why Trump Seems Less Vulnerable on Abortion Than Other Republicans," fails to capture the gravity of the situation. Trump's seemingly vague statements are that way on purpose, a façade to hide the imminent danger he poses to reproductive freedom.

Trump's appointments to the Supreme Court and his boastful acknowledgment of overturning Roe v. Wade reveal a deliberate assault on reproductive rights. His statements - advocating punishment for people who seek or have abortions and his ambiguous stance on a 6-week national abortion ban - only underscore the urgency of the threat.

Furthermore, Trump's support for a national abortion ban during his time in office - one that could have resulted in doctors facing unjust imprisonment - emphasizes the severe consequences of his policies. The stakes are high, the threat is clear, and the potential impact is devastating.

When it comes to reproductive freedom, actions will always speak louder than vague words. It's imperative that we listen to what Trump is telling us, both outright and by reading between the lines, and that we take the appropriate action this November.

Olivia Hensley, Omaha

Shining a light

February is Low Vision Awareness Month-not only is it a time to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals living with visual impairments, it also raises awareness of how capable low and no vision individuals are in reaching their personal and professional goals. Low vision or no vision affects millions of Americans, with 15,000 of those individuals in the Omaha area. This month serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity, accessibility and understanding for those with low vision and vision loss.

At Outlook, our mission is to positively impact everyone who is blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of blind and visually impaired individuals in Nebraska and the surrounding seven-state region, we see first-hand how providing opportunities to blind and low-vision people positively impacts lives. Supporting people with vision loss is not only about helping them overcome physical limitations, it also includes breaking down barriers and advocating for equal opportunities. Simple tasks like reading a menu or crossing the street can present significant challenges for those with visual impairments. By fostering awareness, we can work towards creating more environments that are accommodating and supportive for individuals with low vision.

At Outlook Enrichment, we aspire to be the first place people in our community and beyond turn to when seeking resources that empower those with low vision and vision loss. We help neighbors living with vision loss and blindness live life independently, confidently engage in their communities, and continue to do the things they love through an array of programs.

Ultimately, Low Vision Awareness Month is a reminder that sight is not the only pathway to experiencing the world in wonderful, fulfilling ways. This month is a time to celebrate resilience and capabilities of individuals with no or low vision while advocating for a more inclusive society.

Nina Rongisch, Omaha

Executive Director of Outlook Enrichment

Still good people

Earlier this month, I tripped and fell in the parking lot of the Omaha Playhouse. I broke my left wrist and scraped up my face. I want to thank the wonderful people who stopped to help me and especially the young couple that stopped and stayed with me. The young woman held my hand and arm straight so it wouldn't move and the husband called the ambulance right away. They were so sweet and wonderful I just want to thank them so much for their help and kindness. I didn't get their names and I hope they see this to see how much I appreciated their help. God bless them. Just to let them know: I am doing well and had surgery on my wrist the next day. Thank you again and God bless you.

Darlene Scream, Papillion

Broken promise

The Douglas County Assessor has now officially broken his campaign promise for property owners to have an informal meeting where they would know the outcome of that informal meeting. He has instead chosen the path of all prior assessors to take your information in February but not tell you the decision until the last day of May when a notice would be sent by U.S. mail. You have to file your protests in June, so you will have little time to prepare the protest.

It's strange that the assessor reports this final value to the state after March 1, but you have to wait three months to find out the results. One thing to keep in mind is that after March 1, you can request your property record file and it will show the results.

Monte Bowman, Omaha