Pubdate: Sun, 15 Oct 2006
Source: Casper Star-Tribune (WY)
Copyright: 2006 Casper Star-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.casperstartribune.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/765
Author: Joan Barron, Star-Tribune capital bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

DON'T OVER-STUDY HEALTH CARE, CANDIDATE SAYS

CHEYENNE -- With so many other state health care insurance plans to 
use as models, Wyoming needs to be sure it doesn't go overboard with 
studies and miss an opportunity to take action, said Chris Shoults, 
Democratic candidate for Senate District 3.

Shoults pointed out the Legislature this year allocated three new 
positions and more than $2 million to the Wyoming Health Care Commission.

He said that while the state should look at the commission's 
recommendations, it also should examine other states' models, 
including Massachusetts'.

Wyoming, he added, should be particularly wary of single-payor plans 
- -- often termed "socialized" -- like those in Canada and Hawaii.

Shoults' opponent in the Nov. 7 general election, Republican Sen. 
Curt Meier of LaGrange, said he does not support any mandated 
approach by government which, he said, is the cornerstone of the 
Massachusetts plan.

Meier said he supports the work of the Legislature over the last 
several years to reduce the number of people with no health insurance.

District 3 includes parts of Platte and Goshen counties in eastern Wyoming.

Meier's list of top priorities for spending the state's surplus 
include water development, education, law enforcement, corrections, 
transportation, and state revenue sharing with local political subdivisions.

He also supports one-time spending for infrastructure and capital 
construction, with a sinking fund for future maintenance, and wants 
to save as much as possible to enhance earnings on investments and 
avert taxes when the boom is over.

Shoults' list includes insurance reform to provide affordable access 
to health care for all residents, and exploration of lower personal 
property tax on farm equipment and possible fuel credits as 
short-term stimulus for agriculture producers.

He also wants to create stable revenue streams through Permanent 
Mineral Trust Gund investments and work toward a senior citizens 
trust. He also wants to promote industries that move raw agricultural 
commodities including ethanol, biocomposites and consumer-ready food 
as an economic diversification stimulus.

Meier and Shoults agreed the Wyoming Department of Transportation 
needs more money for construction and maintenance.

Shoults would couple a time-limited adjustment to the federal mineral 
royalty distribution formulas with one-time appropriations from state 
general fund surpluses to build and maintain highways,

Meier said the Legislature may be able to use surplus funds to help 
cover the increased costs.

Asked about the idea of building methamphetamine treatment centers at 
several sites in the state, Shoults said the state should focus on 
monitoring the success of long-term meth treatment centers, both 
inpatient and outpatient, that exist.

Meier said treatment capacity dispersed throughout the state would 
allow greater involvement of families of the addicts. He said both 
private and public facilities should be used, as well as nonprofit.

As for paying for more Highway Patrol officers, Meier said he would 
be reluctant with the information he currently has.

Shoults said additional officers are needed in rural areas and on the 
interstate highway to deter methamphetamine trafficking, and the 
number depends on where the patrol wants to station them.

For training the state's work force, the community colleges and the 
university are valuable resources, Shoults said. The Legislature also 
needs to examine results from a study under way through the 
Department of Workforce Services to be sure the resources are focused 
appropriately.

Meier said the key to building a work force is education through the 
community colleges, private tech schools, apprenticeships and 
correctional education programs.

Shoults said his priority issue is economic development, which 
encompasses the three areas he is focusing on: health insurance, 
community college funding and diversification.

He also is interested in creating a severance tax scale for oil, 
natural gas and surface coal that adjusts to thresholds in market value.

Meier said his top priority deals with water issues, including access 
in the Horse Creek Conservation District.

Other priorities are telecommunications, subdivision changes, eminent 
domain and community college funding, Meier said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman