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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman