News

Medicaid co-pay?

Assembly Republican floor leader Pat Hickey is proposing co-pays for indigents under Medicaid, the federal health care program for low-income people administered by state governments.

Co-pays are a complicated device. The federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2006 authorized co–pays on Medicaid beneficiaries, but efforts to impose them must navigate some tricky shoals. When Arizona imposed them, they were struck down by a federal court because they were done by that state solely to keep the state budget balanced, not for “research or demonstration” purposes, as the law requires.

“The administrative record reveals that the purpose of Arizona’s waiver application was to save money,” the ruling read. “There is little, if any, evidence that the [Health and Human Services] secretary considered the [research/demonstration] factors … before granting Arizona’s waiver. Thus, the secretary’s decision was arbitrary and capricious.”

Hickey has said his purpose is to help keep the state budget in balance and also reduce emergency room use. That last factor is troubling, because it could discourage indigents from getting care early, exacerbating their conditions and subjecting the state to higher costs, and also make it vulnerable to lawsuits.

Utah has small co-pays for some purposes and is currently considering higher co-pays for smokers. Its policy on emergency rooms: “No co-pay when the ER is used properly/$6 co-pay for non emergency use of the ER.”

Lottery talk is back

A rush of Nevada lottery ticket buyers at border towns Primm and Verdi seeking an unusually large prize generated, as it usually does, a corresponding rush of news stories about whether Nevada should have a lottery of its own.

Assemblymember Paul Aizley, a Clark County Democrat, unsuccessfully proposed a lottery in 2009. Such a change would require amending the state constitution, which forbids lotteries. Democrats have led in seeking a state lottery, though studies have indicated that lotteries are most likely to drain the money of lowincome workers, traditionally a Democratic constituency.

In 2002, the state Task Force on Tax Policy reported, “Our analysis indicates that a lottery could produce approximately $40 million to $70 million in net revenue annually,” the report said. “However, it must be noted that these are very rough estimates based upon the experience of other states, where conditions are quite dissimilar to those in Nevada.”

Florida town faces scrutiny

Since the death of Trayvon Martin, some journalists have been exploring the racial past of his home town of Sanford, Fla., where he was killed.

The earliest substantive article of this sort appears to have been a Mother Jones magazine article. Then, as so often happens, other online sources harvested the Mother Jones research and recycled it into their own articles.

At the Newsweek site Daily Beast, some of the same material and quotes were used, plus a new piece of information. Newsweek reported that the town’s founder, Henry Sanford (1823-1891), was “a mine investor in Nevada.”

The University of Nevada Press has published a biography of Henry Sanford. Its author, University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor Joseph Fry, said, “I found no evidence of Nevada investments in Sanford’s business records, which were quite extensive.” Newsweek gave no source for its information and did not say what companies or camps in Nevada, if any, were involved.

Many stories characterized Sanford as a racist, pointing to his support for sending U.S. born slaves “back” to Africa, an idea also advocated by Abraham Lincoln.

But the 1891 New York Times obituary of Sanford said he was a member of an Anti-Slavery Congress in Belgium.

—Dennis Myers

Restoration

Abuse agency’s new director tries to repair past damage

When the Committee to Aid Abused Women set out to find a new executive director by last year, it was a sensitive task. Dennis Myers The new director would replace popular longtime director Joni Kaiser, who was also a founder of the organization. When Kaiser was forced out by the CAAWboard of directors (“End of an era,” RN&R, May 12, 2011), it left a lot of hard feelings. Since then a number of Kaiser’s supporters—many of them financial contributors—have kept their distance from CAAWor shifted their donations to Safe Embrace, a different shelter program. In November, the CAAWboard hired Denise Yoxsimer, one of the most sought-after women executives in the valley, who brought a golden resume with her. She has been a KTVN news producer, president and CEO of the Nevada Women’s Fund, a fundraiser for KNPB and for Washoe Medical Center. “The best comparison I can make is when UNLVbagged Rollie Massimino after they fired Tarkanian,” said one financial figure and supporter of CAAW. “No one

“If it takes nine visits, if it takes 12 visits, we are here.”

Denise Yoxsimer CAAW director

The report referenced here on the rate of women killed by men in Nevada is “When Men Murder Women” by the Violence Policy Center. It can be read at www.vpc.org/press /0110dv.htm thought they would get someone in Tarkanian’s league.” Of course, Massimino’s tenure at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas ended badly, but CAAWis hoping for better luck with Yoxsimer. RN&R sources say morale at CAAWis good under her.

Last week Yoxsimer made what she said was her first public appearance since taking on the new job in November. She spoke to the Nevada Women’s Lobby monthly northern luncheon. The group included people who were guarded toward her, including a couple of close friends of Kaiser.

Addressing some of the area’s top flight women’s activists, Yoxsimer acknowledged the nature of the group.

“I feel like I’m preaching to the choir here,” she said. “I know that you’ve all been very active and involved in CAAWfor some time, and I am just starting to learn the organization. … I have the great privilege of following Joni Kaiser as the executive director … as the second executive director of the organization.”

She talked about Nevada’s well known negative quality of life and its impact on women and families.

“Nevada continues to be number one in the states relative to women being killed by a male partner—and that’s number one for the last four out of five years, so we have some serious work to continue to do in that regard.”

After running down the kinds of work CAAWdoes and how it operates, Yoxsimer took questions. There were plenty of them.

After giving a luncheon speech to the Nevada Women’s Lobby, domestic abuse agency chief Denise Yoxsimer had lunch. Attorney Nancyann Leeder is at right.

Can you update us on efforts in Congress to kill the Violence Against Women Act? Yoxsimer: “Senator Heller became the 60th vote” to renew the act.

Does CAAW have an endowment? No, “but it’s definitely a conversation I’d like us to start having.”

Does CAAW have arrangements with dentists and cosmetic surgeons to help battery victims? “Not that I’m aware of, and that’s a wonderful idea.”

Does CAAW follow up with its clients to find out how they negotiate the judicial system? The CAAWstaff reports that there are “ebbs and flows” in how well judges understand the issues but those staffers also feel that judges make “a real commitment” by taking training in abuse issues.

What does CAAW do when its shelter fills up? “We are continuing to work collaboratively with other domestic violence agencies … We also have funding that allows us to put some women and families in very dire circumstances in motels for a certain period of time. … But as you can imagine, none of [other options] last very long. … For the situations that are extremely dangerous, [a] Greyhound bus ticket” is provided.

What has been happening to CAAW’s financial contributions? “We have seen contributions from individuals and private foundations have declined over the last couple of years. The need continues to grow. … We have spent some time doing some strategic thinking about our staffing and doing some consolidation of programs … to help create a smoother, congenial service for our clients.”

Does CAAW serve men? Yes.

Does CAAW do outreach to Latinos? Yes, both in community education and in support groups tailored to Latinos.

What should we be talking to our state legislators about? “How we can do a better job [of] prevention.”

Are there CAAW education programs for small children in the schools? Not yet. So far it’s mostly at the high school level. But younger instruction is “a goal and a vision that I have.”

The audience was receptive to Yoxsimer and seemed particularly responsive when she talked about how vulnerable abuse victims are as they try to break away from their dangerous situations: “If it takes nine visits, if it takes 12 visits, we are here.”

One person in the audience told her, “Thank you for taking that position. … It’s very appreciated, by all.”

Afterward, Marlene Lockard— former state agency chief and governor’s chief of staff—said she believes Yoxsimer can heal the ruptures that followed Kaiser’s departure, based on her handling of previous organizations with which she has served.

“Anytime you deal with an organization with a lot of independent views and you’re able to pull those together in consensus and move and organization forward—I think Denise is just what CAAWneeds at this particular time, too. … She is so professional.”

After the luncheon speech one of Kaiser’s friends pointed out that where Kaiser had a degree in social work, Yoxsimer has a degree in communications. The point was a little unclear, but the CAAWboard of directors has been criticized for poorcommunications skills.

The same person also said, “I just dropped off [the CAAWlist of donors]. There’s some people on that board that I don’t want to be anywhere near. … You know, it’s just tough, and it still hurts. … Does Denise come across to me like she has an awareness and understanding? No. But, she can grow.”

In response to questions, Yoxsimer said she knows nothing of the dispute between Kaiser and the CAAW board, but has appreciated those who brought their concerns to her.

“I’ve had a couple of conversations from some long-time supporters who had some concern about the direction the organization was headed. I’ve appreciated having the opportunity to kind of talk through what I’m aware of these issues.”

She said she and Kaiser—who now lives in Pennsylvania—have had contact and discussed abuse issues.

Yoxsimer said when she headed a statewide women’s scholarship program, “I had the privilege and opportunity of meeting so many of the donors who support both organizations. I feel that’s given me a bit of an opportunity to kind of get my foot in the door and have some conversations about looking forward. And I think it’s just one of these issues that will take time, and it’s about building trust. And I know the bottom line is that supporters of the Committee to Aid Abused Women support women and families in the community and want to continue to do that. I really, truly believe over time that support of our mission will … outweigh any other hard feelings that have occurred.” Ω

“I think Denise is just what CAAW needs.”

Marlene Lockard Lobbyist

Capitol punishment

The dry winter took a toll on the lawn at the Nevada capitol this year. New growth in flower beds contrasts sharply with the brown, dead lawn.

Council in session

In an effort to combat diseases like diabetes, obesity and hypertension, the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) has established the Washoe County Food Policy Council. Members of the council are participants in Reno’s local food movement, and were chosen with the criteria of having a “passion for improving the food system in Washoe County,” according to GetHealthyWashoe.com. Ten volunteer council positions were filled, and members include Great Basin Community Food Co-op cofounder Amber Sallaberry, NevadaGrown director Ann Louhela, and registered dietician Barbara Scott, among others. The council will help bring the district’s Food Plan (which can be viewed at http://bit.ly/HqjF3E) to life.

In a press release from the WCHD, chronic disease prevention program coordinator Erin Dixon states, “Community health indicators, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other chronic conditions, are strongly tied to nutrition.”

WCHD also started Washoe Eats, a food inspection archive. The website is intended to get the public more involved with food safety practices. Food inspection scores can be accessed by typing a restaurant’s name in the search bar at http://washoeeats.washoecounty.us.

Sunset on the lake

Independence Lake, located about an hour north of Truckee, was named “Best Lake” by Sunset Magazine in its March edition. The honor was part of Sunset’s annual environmental awards, which recognizes organizations and places throughout the west for upholding environmental stewardship.

The article states, “What didn’t happen here [at the lake]:A shoreline jammed with houses, restaurants, and pubs. And motorboats.”

“Why it’s a winner: Independence Lake, a half-hour north of Tahoe in the High Sierra, was formerly owned by NV Energy and once used to produce hydropower. It has nothing on its shores except Jeffrey pines, red firs, and some picnic tables. The Nature Conservancy and the Truckee Donner Land Trust fought off a private buyer to purchase 2,325 lakeside acres for $15 million.”

The lake serves as a fresh water source for Reno and Sparks during drought seasons. According to The Nature Conservancy, it “also harbors one of the world’s last two wild lake populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout.”

—Ashley Hennefer

ashleyh@newsreview.com

ECO-EVENT

Black Rock Solar will host a screening of The Big Fix, a documentary exposing British Petroleum’s role in the Gulf oil spill. The film is the second documentary made by husbandand-wife team Josh and Rebecca Tickell, who created the Sundance award-winning film Fuel. April 20, Jot Travis Building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Doors open at 6 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m. $8. For more information, email contact@blackrocksolar.org.

Got an eco-event? Contact ashleyh@newsreview.com. Visit www.facebook.com/RNRGreen for more.