THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2006
NEWS
3A
Candidates focus on health care for small businesses
BY MARK VIERTHALER
candidates
Easy access to health care has become a core concern for the three candidates for the Kansas Commissioner of Insurance position.
Republican Sandy Praeger, Democrat Bonnie Sharp and Libertarian Patrick Wilbur have all put a large amount of focus on health care availability for employees of small businesses.
Praeger is the one-term incumbent and a former city commissioner for Lawrence.
She also worked on the Kansas Insurance Advisory committee for a decade before running for insurance commissioner.
One of the largest problems
facing the insurance commissioner, she said, had been the under-insured employees of small businesses. She defined these as businesses with 50 or fewer employee
The democratic challenger, Sharp, has served in the Kansas legislature as the Kansas City, Kan., representative for 10 years. She has served on the insurance commission for the past six years.
Sharp said she would like to implement a change in the openness of the commissioner's office. She said people needed to know
"We're hoping to take our current proposal before the legislature in the upcoming months.
SANDY PRAEGER Insurance commissioner
During the past several months, Praeger said she and her staff had been working on a proposal using both federal and state funds to allow smaller businesses to make health insurance more affordable.
"We're hoping to take our current proposal before the legislature in the upcoming months," she said.
Prager is also working to create a "paperless" office, with each employee fully trained in electronic filing and retrieval.
that the position belonged to them.
She also stressed the need to inform college students about what in their lives is dependant on insurance.
She said that
when she was in college, health care was a continual issue for her. When she was pregnant with her child, neither her health insurance nor her husband's carried a maternity rider, she said.
"I'm very empathetic," Sharp said. "One-size insurance doesn't fit all anymore."
Wilbur echoed Praeger's point that there needed to be a complete revamp of health insurance needs for small businesses.
Wilbur, a libertarian, is a Lawrence native and has previously run as the libertarian candidate for the 45th District of the Kansas legislature.
A large number of people who have either no insurance or are under-insured are people who do have jobs, but work for small businesses, Wilbur said.
Traditionally, small businesses have had more hoops to jump through with the IRS, he said, and often they could not offer insurance to their employees.
"It's kind of the 800-pound gorilla in the room," Wilbur said. "I would like to make it easier to obtain coverage."
A health savings account would be the ideal resolution, he said. Similar to a 401k, employees would regularly deposit money in the account for use later in case of emergencies.
Similar to a 401k, the account could also carry over from job to job.
This would be especially helpful for people between jobs, Wilbur said.
Kansan staff writer Mark Vierthaler can be contacted at mvierthaler@kansan.com.
Edited by Erin Wiley
GOVERNMENT
Bush: Rumsfeld, Cheney will keep jobs
Calls for Defense Secretary's resignation ignored; Bush secures employment
BY TERENCE HUNT ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bush said Wednesday he wanted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, left, and Vice President Dick Cheney, center, to remain in his administration until the end of his presidency. This comment comes after many democrats and republicans have asked for Rumsfeld's resignation under accusations of mishandling the War in Iran.
Ron Edmonds/ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — President Bush said Wednesday he wants Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney to remain with him until the end of his presidency, extending a job guarantee to two of the most-vilified members of his administration.
"Both those men are doing fantastic jobs and I strongly support them," Bush said in an interview with The Associated Press and others.
On the war in Iraq, Bush said the military has not asked for an increase in U.S. forces beyond the 144,000 already there. He said U.S. generals have told him "that the troop level they got right now is what they can live with."
On another international issue, Bush said he was determined that sanctions imposed against North Korea must be applied even though Pyongyang has agreed to return to six-nation nuclear disarmament talks.
The president spoke in the Oval Office, seated in a wing chair in front of a table with a bowl of roses. Six days before midterm elections, he steered away from political questions beyond saying he was confident that Republicans would defy the polls and hold control of the House and Senate. "I understand the pundits have got the race over. But I don't believe it's over until everybody votes," Bush said.
Bush did take the opportunity
He refused to say whether he could work effectively with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi or Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid if Democrats won either the House or Senate, or both.
to take another poke at Sen. John Kerry, in political hot water for a remark that the White House has characterized as a slam on U.S. troops in Iraq. Kerry has said he was making a joke critical of Bush, not the troops.
"It didn't sound like a joke to me," the president said.
Democrats
Democrats a n d Republicans alike have called for Rumsfeld's resignation, arguing he has mishandled the war in Iraq where
polling, less than 40 percent of respondents had a favorable view of Cheney and about a third had a favorable view of Rumsfeld.
Bush said he valued Cheney's advice and judgment.
"The good thing about Vice President Cheney's advice is, you don't read about it in the news-
"It didn't sound like a joke to me,"
GEORGE W. BUSH President of the United States
more than 2,800 members of the U.S. military have died since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Cheney has faced sharp criticism for his hardline views. In recent
paper after he gives it," the president said. While Cheney was re-elected with Bush for four years, there has been recurring speculation that he might step
down, perhaps for health reasons. As a practical matter, Bush could ask the vice president to leave if he wanted.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
JAYWALK!
What is JayWalk?
JayWalk is a service available to all students who want to JayWalk volunteer to WALK them to their residence hall or car, or to walk for them the Night.
You have ever felt unsafe walking alone in night on campsite? With someone could walk with you.
When is the service available?
JayWalk runs Sunday through Thursday from 8pm to midnight.
Who walks with me?
One male and one female will escort you to a
room.
Where is JayWalk?
The JayWalk station and volunteers are located inside Anschutz Library.
JayWalk is giving away an iPOD Nano! Every time you use our service or volunteer with JayWalk, you get your name in the drawing, which will be in December!
Volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated while you are awaiting. Your help will be appreciated by the Kaiser Cancer Foundation, a foundation in 410 East Kaiser Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. You have many questions regarding your opportunity to volunteer with us. Please contact us at kaisercancerfoundation.org.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR JayWalk?
Call us at: 864-3222
November 2, 2006
The African Children's Choir is an ambassador for all children in Africa who have become orphans because of the AIDS pandemic. They are their voice to the rest of the world. The choir is comprised of children ages seven to eleven from East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). Many of the children in the choir have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease.
KU for Uganda
The African Children's Choir performs throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they meet while shining the spotlight on the plight of children in Africa. For more information about the choir, please visit the African Children's Choir web site http://www.africanchildren-schoir.com/。
African Children's Choir Concert Lawrence Free Methodist Church Sunday, November 5, 6 PM Concert is FREE
Sexuality Education Committee
if you are in a committed relationship, managed, engaged, live in, or long-term, regards, of sexual orientation this workshop has many things to offer.
the intimacy for Committed Couples workshop is a womens-
workshop whose couples learn about communication, trust
and the necessary tools to make a relationship successful.
Amis Dulloy, professor enturtion of Social Welfare at KU will
be the instructor. Topics include
Registration and more information available from the ECM office at (785) 883-4933. Space is limited to 15 couples
Student Senate
COMMUNITY LIVING
OPPORTUNITIES
Make a difference today. . . Apply for the Student Senate Elections Commission. Applications are available in the Student Senate office, Room 410 (Kansas Union 4th floor)
Contact Andrew Payne at apayne@ku.edu if you have any questions.
Newark Health care XL0 Halloween party Saturday
The National 11:35am, Reg. 11:35am, Hotel Newark
November 20th
interested in the political process
KU Students for Fair
Trade
Fair Trade in the Heartland Conference
Learn about Fair Trade and get motivated to make a difference!
Location: Manhattan, KS
Dates: November 3-4
Go to at lawrencefairtrade.org for more info.
interested in tutoring kids and adults?
funded by:
SENATE
The Center for Community Outreach
Challenging, Educating, Empowering
Students Tutoring for Literacy
CCO
S10 recistration fee
Interested in tutoring kids and adults Volunteers are needed for Students Tutoring for Literacy Programs are available with groups or one-on-one throughout the Lawrence Community.
Students Tutoring for Literacy (ST1) helps native and non-native English-speaking youth and adults obtain their GEDs learn English as a second language, read their first book, or tidie a job application.
Email wikku.edu if you are interested
Student Advisory Board
The Women's Leadership Series focuses on women running for state and national office Pick your favorite candidate and follow her campaign. Watch women's leadership in
action!
Thr Sunday November 5th 5-6 30pm
Dole Institute of Politics
Email DoleInstitute@ku.edu
Diya
Join us and indulge your senses in a cultural extravagance of melodious music, enchanting dances, and delicious Indian food.
Show begins at 8:30 pm
Dinner served at 8:30 pm
Woodruff Auditorium
Show begins at 6:00 pm
Kansas Union
Dinner Tickets
Dinner Tickets:
$6.00 for KUCIC members
$6.00 for KUCIC members
$8.00 for non-members
(Tickets have to be bought in advance)
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