Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 122, No. 231 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
September 26, 2013
www.rdrnews.com
THURSDAY
State exchange insurance below national average
SANTA FE (AP) — New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace, which starts enrolling consumers next week, will offer medical coverage plans costing less than the national average, according to a new federal report. Uninsured New Mexicans and small businesses can begin next Tuesday to shop for health plans through the state’s newly estabhealth insurance lished exchange. A report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said individuals in New Mexi-
co will pay an average of $282 a month for a mid-range insurance plan considered a benchmark by the federal government. That’s lower than the national average of $328. Those costs are before people apply any tax credits they may be eligible to receive. Consumers can select from plans with a range of coverage called bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The least costly or bronze plans will require people to pay more out-of-pocket expenses. With New Mexico having among
the highest poverty rates in the nation, it’s important to keep insurance premiums affordable through the exchange, said Barbara Webber, executive director of Health Action New Mexico. “I think that competition worked in this case,” Webber said of the premiums for plans to be offered through the exchange by five private insurers. According to the federal report, premiums for the lowest cost silver insurance plans will average $275 a month for individuals in New Mexico compared with $310
nationally. The lowest cost bronze plans will average $217 monthly — about $32 less than the national average for similar coverage. Bronze plans are to cover about 60 percent of health care costs on average, with 70 percent coverage for silver plans. Tax credits can make a significant dif ference in the cost of insurance. For a family of four with an income of $50,000, according to the federal report, the second lowest-cost silver plan will aver-
age $672 monthly in New Mexico before credits are used. The price drops to $282 a month with the subsidies, however. Webber said it’s not surprising that New Mexico’s premiums are lower than many other states, but she also credited New Mexico’s insurance regulator for vetting the rates submitted by insurers for plans to be available through the exchange. “The fact is things are not going to be as expensive here as let’s say Boston, where things are going to be crazy,” she said.
Anti-shutdown bill advances
Raising the flag
Mark Wilson Photo
Ruben Guerra, left, and Oscar Marcus of Grady Henly Decorators out of Lubbock, raise one of 170 flags along the perimeter of the fairgrounds, readying for next week’s Eastern New Mexico State Fair, Wednesday afternoon.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Unanimous but far from united, the Senate advanced legislation to prevent a partial government shutdown on Wednesday, the 100-0 vote certain to mark merely a brief pause in a fierce partisan struggle over the future of President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. The vote came shortly after Texas Sen. Ted Cruz held the Senate in session over night — and the Twitterverse in his thrall — with a near -22-hour speech that charmed the tea party wing of the GOP, irritated the leadership and was meant to propel fellow Republican lawmakers into an allout struggle to extinguish the law. Defying one’s own
party leaders is survivable, he declared in pre-dawn remarks on the Senate floor. “Ultimately, it is liberating.” Legislation passed by the Republican-controlled House last week would cancel all funds for the three-year -old law, preventing its full implementation. But Senate Democrats have enough votes to restore the funds, and Majority Leader Harry Reid labeled Cruz’s turn in the spotlight “a big waste of time.” Any dif ferences between the two houses’ legislation must be reconciled and the bill signed into law by next Tuesday to avert a partial shutdown. The issue is coming
Audit faults state Community welcomes new ILEA class oversight of child care programs JILL MCLAUGHLIN RECORD STAFF WRITER
SANTA FE (AP) — Legislative auditors criticized state oversight of taxpayersubsidized child care providers Wednesday, saying a government agency failed to detect sex offenders living at child care locations. Staff auditors of the Legislative Finance Committee said the Children, Youth and Families Department suspended three child care homes after auditors told the agency that registered sex of fenders listed the homes as their primary addresses. Department spokesman Henry Varela said the
homes no longer can serve as child care locations. The agency confirmed the sex offenders lived there and revoked the state registration needed for the homes in Albuquerque and Algodones to provide child care services.
In a report released at a committee meeting in Santa Fe, auditors said “weak program integrity efforts at CYFD threaten ef fective allocation of resources and potentially endanger children.” The report said there’s a See AUDIT, Page A3
New senior criminal justice professionals from Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay attending the 12th session of Roswell’s Inter national Law Enforcement Academy were welcomed during a war m reception at the Spring River Park and Zoo Wednesday evening. Several community law enforcement officials and local leaders came out to meet and greet them. “Welcome to our beautiful city,” said Roswell Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dorrie Faubus-McCarty. “We want to make your stay as comfortable as possible.” The impressive group of
judges, prosecutors, intelligence analysts, officers and criminal investigators were treated to a reception and tour of the zoo grounds. Jennifer Brady Griego, Roswell Air Center manager, explained that the city worked hard to keep the ILEA program in the community. “You will find our community war m, friendly and we will help make your visit pleasant,” Griego said. “We hope you are able to take some time to see some of our attractions.” Among those who welcomed the new ILEA delegates, who will spend the next several weeks studySee ILEA, Page A3
See BIILL, Page A3
Jill McLaughlin Photo
Lt. Britt Snyder, right, of the Chaves County Sheriff's Office, welcomes one of the new students from Session 12 of the International Law Enforcement Academy Wednesday during a reception at the Spring River Park and Zoo.
Literacy Council helps students with reading, math skills
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Dictionaries may provide the gift of words, but reading is the gateway to knowledge and a world
HIGH 92 LOW 64
TODAY’S FORECAST
it teaches math skills. The council’s tutors concentrate on practical applied math skills. “High level math, like calculus, are often never used in people’s lives,” England explained.
Council tutors, including England, are working with students from Youth ChalleNGe. Each course at Youth ChalleNGe, whether in reading development or math, run the full 22 weeks of the program. “Some will stay in Roswell and their courses can continue,” England said. Nineteen students at
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This article is one in a series of stories focusing on local agencies that receive support from the United Way of Chaves County, which is currently conducting its annual fundraising campaign.
beyond our door. Founded in 1974, the Roswell Literacy Council is the oldest in the state of New Mexico. “We serve a critical need in Roswell … and a powerful purpose,” said Executive Director Andrae England. She noted that there are established links between literacy development, poverty and poor health. The goal she said is not learning to read, but reading to lear n. “Literacy development is not just for reading; it’s for understanding.” The Literacy Council doesn’t only teach reading;
• HENRY VARGAS
Youth ChalleNGe are taking math and nine taking both reading and math. The Literacy Council has 70 students and will normally run about 100 per year. It also has 30 active tutors, but is always in need of more. Tutors do not need to be professional teachers. The council uses the one-on-one approach to teaching. “It has proven the most powerful,” said England. She said many students have had bad experiences in the past in school and quite simply gave up on learning, convinced often
• CHASITY MARIE “BABY GIRL” PENA
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
that they were incapable of succeeding in school. “One of the questions we always ask the Youth ChalleNGe cadets in particular is: ‘How is test-taking for you?’ There are always stories related to too many anxiety-provoking experiences.” England explained that everyone who comes to the Literacy Council has exhibited resiliency and have the willpower to overcome any issues that may have developed when they were in school. She said that a large part of the program is giv-
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B4 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 FINANCIAL ..............B5
ing each person who enters the doors at 609 W. 10th St. support. “Parts of our tutoring toward learning in general and testtaking in particular are encouraging, coaching and strategies to prepare them to do their best. ... I always tell tutors that within the word encouragement is courage — we want never to forget that encouragement is part of our practice.” England urges interested parties to come to their facility. “It could be the See LITERACY, Page A3
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2 NATION..................A6
OPINION .................A4 SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ..............A8