Broadcaster Press 3 August 9, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Celebrating National Health Center Week By Sen. John Thune August 7-13 is National Health Center Week in America, and it’s a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate the health care professionals who make small community health centers across the country a reality. These physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, doctors, dentists, and others play a pivotal role in creating rural access points for South Dakotans who live in areas where the nearest hospital could be an hour or more away. The centers themselves are an important part of the community, and they help create a seamless transition to quality health care for rural patients. It’s not uncommon for Main Street in rural communities throughout South Dakota to have a post office, a gas station, a small grocery store or market, and possibly a traffic light or two – not much more than that. Just because some South Dakotans choose to call small town America home doesn’t mean they’re less deserving of the health care that’s often available in more populated areas. The health care professionals who choose to practice in these smaller communities should be applauded because without them, the community members who rely on these facilities would be forced to travel long distances and likely incur higher costs along the way. It’s not only the paid medical staff who are to be commended, it’s the volunteers across the state who dedicate their time at South Dakota’s community health centers. Recognizing the enormous benefit provided by these volunteer health professionals, last year I reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would encourage additional volunteer opportunities at these kinds of facilities. My bill, the Family Health Care Accessibility Act, would change federal law to lift malpractice coverage burdens that are a barrier to volunteerism for some providers. Doing so will make it easier for those who wish to donate their time and services to these health professions shortage areas. We’ve also looked at new and cutting-edge ways to help alleviate some of the problems faced by long distances between health care facilities. For example, if a patient at a community health center required specialized care or examination, what if distance no longer mattered? That’s where telehealth technology can play an important role. Telehealth is the way of the future, so we should do all we can to embrace this innovative technology. I cosponsored legislation earlier this year that would expand telehealth services and make it easier for Medicare patients to connect with their doctors and other providers without having to travel long distances to do so. This legislation, the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) Act, is another bipartisan initiative that would help create higher quality care for patients in rural South Dakota. While no two states in the country are the same, nearly every state from New York to California faces certain challenges in rural health care. With a little hard work, those challenges can be turned into opportunities, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing here in South Dakota at community health centers that are serving patients and fighting to keep them healthy. Fishing for a new J O B Check out the employment ads in the bp Since 1934 Broadcaster Press 201 W Cherry, Vermillion 605-624-4429 Regents Prepare to set State Goal of More Degree-bearing Workers By Bob Mercer, State Capitol Bureau PIERRE – For three hours Wednesday, members of the South Dakota Board of Regents and state university presidents discussed whether to set a goal that 65 percent of people ages 25-34 should have some type of higher-education degree by 2025. The most recent estimate, using 2014 data, is 45 percent of South Dakotans in that age group have some type of post-high school degree. Regent Pam Roberts of Pierre said the push for 65 percent should be broader than the universities and include state government agencies such as the Department of Labor and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She was a Cabinet member, top aide and chief of operations for five different governors before she retired two years ago as labor secretary. “I think they’re ready,” Roberts said. “I think the timing is really good.” Regent Kathryn Johnson of Hill City said she has frequently heard citizens doubt the value of further investment in the state universities because, from their perspectives, many of the graduates leave South Dakota. Johnson supported Roberts’ concept of a statelevel effort, saying the public needs to be shown the workforce needs that are ahead and the gap that would result in the next decade if more degree-holders weren’t available in South Dakota. Regent Kevin Schieffer of Sioux Falls said a specific presentation should be prepared. The board could start a plan that would be proposed and adjusted, he said. Schieffer, a former chief of staff for then-U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler and later a railroad executive, suggested showing where South Dakota would be if the 65 percent goal is reached and where South Dakota would be if it isn’t. “We’re talking about getting the people together who are responsible for it, one way or the other,” Schieffer said. The regents plan to take a formal vote today but the discussion Wednesday showed the ayes are in place. The only note of dissent came from regent Harvey Jewett of Aberdeen. He suggested the target be smaller than 65 percent but didn’t offer a number. “Let’s not set ourselves up for failure,” Jewett said. Mike Rush, the regents’ executive director, said 65 percent is based on the projected need in the workforce according to a Georgetown University study. “I hate to set a goal that’s below what we already know we need to be successful as a state,” Rush said. Daniel Palmer, a vice president on the regents’ staff, said universities in South Dakota generate about 6,000 degrees per year and South Dakota would need another 3,000 annually, starting last year, to reach the 65 percent target by 2025. The regents are working with the Lumina Foundation, whose staff is engaging with other states about raising the number of degree holders in the key demographic group of 25-34. Lottery Officials Forecast a Minimal Uptick in 2017 By Bob Mercer State Capitol Bureau PIERRE – South Dakota saw more video lottery terminals in operation during July and the amunt of money that players lost went up as well. That was one piece of the summary delivered Thursday to the South Dakota Lottery Commission. The other parts showed sales of instant-win tickets lagging while lotto sales were up. Clark Hepper, the deputy administrator for the South Dakota Lottery, told commissioners the expectation is lotto sales eventually will drop behind the pace of a year ago. That’s because there was a giant jackpot that likely won’t be repeated any time soon, Hepper said. Lotto sales through July 30 ran 53.8 percent ahead of last year’s pace for the same onemonth period. July 1 is the annual start of the lottery’s fiscal year. Hepper said the fast pace, which saw $3.35 million of sales during July, isn’t expected to continue. For the full 2017 fiscal year, revenue from lotto sales after prizes and expenses is forecast to be $7,090,000, down from the 2016 total of $8,840,000 through June 30. Meanwhile sales of instantwin tickets through July 30 totaled $1.95 million, down from $2.19 million at the similar point one year ago. That was a drop of 10.95 percent. Hepper said the hope is that holiday sales can help recover some of that gap. He said fiscal 2017 revenue from instant-win tickets after prizes and expenses is projected to be $4.76 million. That would be less than the 2016 revenue of $5.33 million. For video lottery, net machine income – the money lost by players after winnings are paid -- was up 4.25 percent through July 23 over the similar period one year ago, according to Robyn Seibel. She oversees the security and operations of the privately owned terminals for the lottery. Seibel said net machine income was $15.6 million through the first three weeksplus of July. It was just under $15 million for the similar period one year ago. State government takes 50 percent of the net machine income. The remainder is split among the machine owners, operators and establishments under private contracts. There were 9,002 terminals in play during July, up from 8,937 at the similar point in 2015. The number of establishments however declined to 1,331 from 1,354. Much of the gain in video lottery appears to result from the new-style line games, similar to slot machines, which are gradually replacing the old poker, blackjack and keno terminals. Norm Lingle, the lottery’s executive director, said line games are averaging about $40 more daily in net machine income than the old-style terminals known as legacy games. The video lottery revenue forecast for state government currently is $106,350,000 for fiscal 2017. The actual 2016 revenue, unaudited, was $102,800,000. Overall, lottery games are forecast to produce revenue of $118,200,000 for fiscal 2017 for state government. The actual 2016 revenue, unaudited, totaled $116,970,000 for the government. Lottery is the second-largest state revenue source after the sales tax. Lingle said the lottery currently is in the hiring process to fill two key spots. Joe Willingham, who was director of sales for instantwin tickets and lotto, retired July 9 after 29 years with the agency. Business analyst Jon Keyes took a higher-salary post with the state Department of Transportation. Two representatives from the foundation, Scott Jenkins and Susan Heegaard, met with the regents most of the morning Wednesday. “It depends on what you want to be as a state,” University of South Dakota president Jim Abbott said. He mentioned tourism and manufacturing have been two points of emphasis in South Dakota’s economy. Palmer said South Dakota long has been a net exporter of people with post-secondary degrees and a net importer of people without degrees. “You have to describe a future that No. 1 is attainable and No. 2 is a stretch for us but is beneficial to all,” Barry Dunn, South Dakota State University president, said. No county in South Dakota has reached 60 percent yet, according to a report delivered to the regents. The report looked at associate degrees or higher. Lincoln County, which includes southern Sioux Falls, was highest at 57 percent. Next came Brookings County, home to SDSU, at 54 percent, and Clay County, home to USD, at nearly 53 percent. Lowest was Buffalo County at less than 17 percent. The other 62 counties were in the range of less than 21 percent (Todd) to nearly 50 percent (Union). Among the most-populated counties, Beadle was 33.4 percent; Brown 41.9 percent; Codington 34.5; Davison 47.3; Hughes 46.6; Lake 42.3; Lawrence 40.9; Minnehaha 43.6; Pennington 40.1; and Yankton 36.8. SHIINE Seeks Local Volunteers PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program is currently seeking local volunteers to help seniors with their Medicare questions and to spread the word about detecting Medicare fraud, waste and abuse. Administered by the South Dakota Department of Social Services, SHIINE is a federally-funded program that advocates for consumers and educates them on Medicare, Medicare fraud, errors and abuse detection, and related health information, to allow consumers to make timely and informed decisions and access resources that best fit their needs. The program is free for eligible seniors and all services are unbiased and confidential. Volunteers are vital to the success of the program, as they provide a resource in the local community for seniors to discuss their Medicare questions and concerns in person. There are several different volunteer roles available with the SHIINE program to fit all different types of volunteer interest and ability. Volunteers are most active during the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D, October 15 through December 7. Recruiting volunteers now allows time for initial training and mentoring. Volunteers may not hold a current license to sell Medicare-related health insurance. For more information on SHIINE or becoming a volunteer counselor, contact Tom Hoy at the Eastern SHIINE office by phone: 1-800-536-8197 or email: SHIINE@activegen.org. Prices ! ed Reduc Boots & Shoes Sale Waterproof FREE SOCKS with boots Boston Shoes to Boots 312 W. 3rd • Yankton • 665-9092 Volin, SD PRECISION PAINTING •Interior •Exterior •Commercial •Residential Quality Workmanship, Reasonable Rates Since 1983 CLINT TUCKER 624-4621 3211 E. Hwy. 50 • Yankton, SD 605-665-4540 • 800-526-8095 745 E. Hwy 46 • Wagner, SD 605-384-3681 • 800-693-1990 www.marksinc.com Locally Owned and Operated Since 1972 THE HEART OF EVERY ROTARY BEATS RED The Axial-Flow Combine is at the heart of our 100-year legacy of harvesting expertise. On behalf of children with life threatening illnesses, we would like to thank Vermillion and its surrounding communities. The tenth annual Make A Wish dinner and auction was a huge success! Through the efforts of everyone involved, children from our area with life threatening illnesses can be granted a wish! THANK YOU • To Old Lumber Company for hosting! • To All of the businesses that provided auction items! • To All of the people who bought auction items and tickets! • To All of the volunteers that assisted in making the night a success! • To 106.3 for their support! Friday 8am-7pm and Saturday 8am-5pm August 12th and 13th Located: 44888 305th St Volin SD 2 miles West of Volin Marlo and Barb Schnider Estate Collective and Decorative: Antiques, collectables, and interesting items filled this house!! Some of these items include: Quilts, old toys, old rugs, Red Wing Crocks, old wardrobe trunk, trunks, old tins, tin dollhouses and barn, oil lamps, old dolls, hat boxes, denim day collection, glass shoe collection, cast-iron bed, sterling-silver silver wear, silver plated dishes, 2 upholstery machines, button machine, upholstery accessories, pictures, porcelain stove (1920’s), metal army cot, lots of household items, dressers, couch, tools, Hit and Miss Engine, miscellaneous farm equipment, and MANY MORE UNIQUE AND ANTIQUE ITEMS!! Ice Cream Social Main Street Center 320 W Main Street Thursday, August 11 5:00 - 6:30 PM Sandwiches, Chips, Homemade Pies, Cakes, Ice Cream and Beverages The Main Street Center (AKA Senior Citizens Center) Thank You for your Support! Mushy's Bowling Alley in Centerville has openings for Bowlers in their Men's, Women's, and Mixed Doubles Bowling Leagues. Sincerely, Gary Madsen, Rick Steenholdt, Kenny Stoos, Sara Bye Schulte, Lucky Huber, Jim & Dena Brady and Bruce & Kelly Fischbach Come join the fun! For more information call 563-BOWL or 214-1562