County seeks indigent health affiliation plan
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Cherokee County Commissioners met Wednesday, May 23, in the county courtroom with representatives of East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Frances to discuss an indigent health care affiliation agreement. By the three joining together the federal government will match a certain percentage of what is contributed by the county to indigent health care.

A needs assessment agreement will be reached among the two hospitals and the county to allow spending of these additional funds.

The money can be used for the 911 program and indigent health care, but not for county health insurance.

Details of the program were unknown. However, the county had to opt to become a part of the program by May 31 or it would not have been eligible. If the county decides to get out it can after 90 days.

Agreements will be made with other entities served by the two hospitals.

In another matter, commissioners approved a bid from Citizens 1st Bank as the county depository. Vote was 4-1 with Commissioner Mary Gregg voting against the motion made by Commissioner Kevin Pierce and seconded by Commissioner Byron Underwood.

"I love both banks, but I think that since this is the fourth year with Citizens we need a change. I would like to see the business passed around," Mrs. Gregg said.

The Citizens 1st Bank bid will give the county one percent more interest on deposits, but will charge service fees. The county currently uses Citizens 1st Bank. With the Citizens 1st bid, the county will pay approximately $700 annually for service fees, but should collect $34,000 more annually in interest.

Commissioners approved a change from part-time to full-time for the assistant in the veterans service office.

Jim Foreman, veterans service officer, presented his quarterly report at the meeting. The office provides assistance in completion of necessary forms to establish eligibility for benefits including service connected disability compensation, non-service connected pensions, dependency and indemnity compensation, non-service connected widow's pension, special monthly benefits, burial and plot allowances, government headstones and grave markers, Montgomery G.I. Bill educational benefits, service-connected disability vocational rehabilitation, certificate of eligibility for guaranteed home loans and government and life insurance policies.

The office assists with maintaining benefits for reporting annual non-reimbursed medical expenses, reporting changes in income or dependent status, requesting increases in service-connected disabilities, aiding claimants with DVA debt waiver request and reporting admission to assisted living or nursing home facilities.

Veterans receive advice for medical services offered by Disabled Veterans Administration outpatient clinics and medical centers and obtaining prescription medications through the Veterans Administration.

Also, they receive advice concerning state benefits involving Texas Veterans Land program, Texas Veterans Home Assistance program, Texas Veterans Home Improvement program, Texas Hazelwood Act for educational benefits, property tax exemptions for service connected disabled veterans, lower car registration fee for service connected disabled veterans rated at 40 percent or more, lower fee for state park access and fishing and hunting licenses for service connected disabled veterans.

Assistance is provided for referrals to Social Security administration, Texas Department of Human Services, Texas Work Force Commission and Texas Committee on Aging.

Help in obtaining supporting documentation is provided for military discharge or date of discharge, marriage license, death certificates and birth certificates.

Miscellaneous

Commissioners approved an airport FBO contract.

A monthly report from Constable Precinct 3 was approved. Ken Hannah, emergency management coordinator, was approved to attend the governor's division of emergency management course, principles of emergency management, June 5-7 in Austin.

Attending the meeting were County Judge Chris Davis; Commissioners Gregg, Pierce, Moody Glass III and Underwood; Donna Dowling of the county clerk's office and L.H. Crockett, county auditor.

The next commissioners court meeting will be at 10 a.m. Monday, June 11, in the county courtroom.