Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 123, No. 75 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
March 27, 2014
www.rdrnews.com
Millions could get extra time for health sign-ups WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of Americans could get extra time to enroll for taxpayer-subsidized coverage this year under President Barack Obama’s health care law. That would let the administration boost sign-ups and aid Democrats under attack over the program’s troubles.
The Health and Human Services Department Wednesday posted two documents that outline “special enrollment periods” for broad groups of people trying to access the new online health insurance markets.
Those who’ve started an application, but weren’t able to finish before the March 31 open enrollment deadline, would get a limited amount of time to sign up for coverage that would take effect May 1.
Additionally, people with 10 general categories of “special” circumstances would also get extra time to apply — up to 60 days. Categories include natural disasters, system errors related to immigration status, computer error messages due to technical difficulties, family situations involving domestic abuse, and other sorts of prob-
Colors of springtime
lems. “We won’t close the door on those who tried to get covered and were not able to do so through no fault of their own,” Julie Bataille, communications director for the health care rollout, told reporters. She deflected repeated questions on whether there is a hard deadline beyond which the administration won’t take applications. Special enrollment periods are allowed under the health law, and standard for workplace insurance. But they are mainly used to accommodate changes
THURSDAY
in life circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or job loss.
The latest tweaks to health overhaul rules drew immediate scor n fr om Republicans committed to repealing “Obamacare.”
The administration announcement added to a perception of disarray that has dogged the health care overhaul fr om its early days. It also raised concerns about the potential for another round of technology problems like the ones that paralyzed HealthCare.gov after its Oct. 1 launch.
Mark Wilson Photo
AP Photo
This Jan. 14, 2014, file photo shows President Barack Obama, accompanied by Health and Human Service Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, speaking to the media before his Cabinet meeting, in the Cabinet Room of the White House.
Pearce introduces bipartisan bill for immigration reform
Rep. Steve Pearce, RDist. 2, introduced a bipartisan immigration bill with a Texas representative Wednesday that they say will help bring accountability, transparency and cooperation to border patrol efforts. The Border Enforcement, Accountability, Oversight and Community Engagement Act of 2014, was introduced with Rep Beto O’Rourke, D-Tex. “Today’s bill is a direct response to the needs of our constituents, and is a resounding statement that the two parties can successfully work together on immigration reform,” said Pearce. “This bill helps ensure proper training for all agents and officers, as well as providing mecha-
nisms for greater interaction with the communities in which they serve and protect.”
The legislation is expected to create new ways for people to resolve issues with Customs and Border Protection. It calls for adding an ombudsman for border and immigration related concerns for local residents.
Pearce and O’Rourke met with ranchers, immigrants, commuters and others who approached them with their personal stories and ideas for improving CPB operations, according to a news release issued by Pearce’s office.
Committee discusses US Senate candidate Weh believes in need for more medical ‘importance of American leadership’ professionals in city A pedestrian walks her dog through a Cahoon Park teeming with the colors of springtime, Wednesday.
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
A new committee convened Wednesday, brought together by Mayor Dennis Kintigh, that aims to provide solutions to medical care challenges in Roswell. Several physicians and administrators of local hospitals and health care groups met at City Hall to begin discussing critical needs, including the shortage of primary care doctors. Retired nurse and community leader Jane Batson facilitated the committee. A similar group was in place during former Mayor Sam LaGrone’s term in office. “I think the majority of us who sit around this table are action people who
want to get this thing moving,” Batson said. Representatives from Lovelace Regional, Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, Kymera Independent Physicians, and private physicians chimed in with several ideas about how to improve care within the community. Ideas included eliminating the “no compete” clause between medical facilities. As the situation exists today, if a local physician wants to leave one practice for a certain reason, he can’t stay in the community. That doctor or practitioner cannot work for a competing medical group because of the “no comSee COMMITTEE, Page A3
Courtesy Photo
Pictured are Valley View Elementary School fifth-grade student Anika Tavarez, left, and teacher Jennifer Johnson. Tavarez won the New Mexico National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.
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TODAY’S FORECAST
JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
When asked how he describes himself, U.S. Senate candidate Allen Weh’s first two responses were quick and to the point. “I’m a veteran,” Weh said. The 71-year-old retired colonel spent 38 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, on active duty or in the reserve. He served two tours in Vietnam and in Malaysia. He was recalled during the Persian Gulf War and served as chief of staf f of Marine Forces Pacific before retiring in 1997. This is one difference between the well-known Republican and his primary opponent David Clements, a 34-year -old
lawyer. The two will face off in the primary election June 3. “He isn’t a veteran. That may matter to some. It certainly doesn’t matter to all,” Weh said. If elected to the U.S. Senate by defeating Sen. Tom Udall, D-NM, this would matter a great deal to Weh as he talked about how he felt about the armed forces. “I’ll be one of only three combat veterans in the U.S. Senate if I’m elected,” Weh said. “I have a keen personal appreciation for what the 3 million men and women who serve in unifor m … serve in the armed forces … serve in nasty places that we send them on deployment after
See WEH, Page A3
Courtesy Photo
Republican candidate Allen Weh is running for U.S. Senate in the primary election against David Clements.
Roswell student wins state poster contest
A Valley View Elementary School student has won a statewide poster contest with her artwork. New Mexico students participated in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childr en (NCMEC) Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest. This contest consisted of hand drawn posters by fifth-grade students across the
• FACUNDO “COONEY” CARRILLO • JIMMY LEE PATTERSON
state. The winner, fifth-grader Anika Tavarez, was honored on Tuesday with her award and a pizza party, courtesy of Domino’s Pizza, said Sgt. Damyan Brown, public infor mation of ficer for the New Mexico State Police. Tavarez is a student in Jennifer Johnson’s class at Valley View Elemen-
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE A6
tary School in Roswell. The annual contest creates an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and other child advocates to discuss the issue of missing and/or exploited children with childr en, par ents, and guardians and to promote child safety. Students from around the state submitted hand drawn posters, and
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 FINANCIAL ..............B4
Tavarez’s was selected as the winner, Brown said. Now, she will be entered into the national contest and if she wins that, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will invite her to Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . , t o participate in the National Missing Children’s Day commemoration in May, along with her parents and teacher.
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ..............A8 WORLD ..................A6