Health Net, not VA, is the problem

As a veteran (though not using the VA System), I read with interest the article regarding the VA’s Choice Program (“A battle: VA Choice Program more problems than solutions for Kannapolis veteran,” Sunday).

From the incidents discussed in the article, it would appear that the problem is not with the VA, but with the private vendor Health Net. The VA seems to make the appropriate referrals in a timely manner. Health Net seems to have “dropped the ball” in each case (lack of timely notification of appointments, lack of timely appointments, failure to pay bills).

I cannot help but wonder if this is the type of vendor that Congressmen Hudson and Tillis would like to see involved in Medicare and ACA coverage. If so, these veterans’ experience should be a stark wake up call!

— Lawrence Walser

Salisbury

Blackwell is right on

I do not live within the city limits but would like to comment on Mayor Pro Tem Maggie Blackwell’s letter in Sunday’s paper (“To angry citizens: You don’t know me”). I have served on the Human Relations Council in the past. Maggie was the city representative. I always found Maggie to be a hard-working, very dedicated individual that wore several hats. I always found her to be honest and straight forward.

Her article is right on and to the point. Everyone should get to know their representatives and what they do for their community before chastising them. If they are ineffective, you will know.

Maggie is not one of the ineffective ones.

— John Mitchell

Salisbury

Consequences

Now that the growers in the San Joaquin Valley in southern California, strong Trump supporters, have learned that the administration is adding a qualification to its immigration policy that all jobs must be offered to U.S. citizens first, they are enraged. Just wait until the price of lettuce skyrockets.

Maybe this is an opportunity for West Virginia coal miners to begin a mass migration for new employment opportunities.

— Sanford Silverburg

Salisbury

Should be sweating

In his recent My Turn submission “I’m not sweating recent climate news” (Jan. 31), Mr. La Rue scoffs at the news that the past three years have been the hottest years on the planet since we began keeping records, a fact that comes as no surprise to anyone who follows the science related to climate and global warming.

He suggests that some of the recent warming may be a result of the collective sigh of relief from the climate scientists and researchers working to better understand the problem and the solution.

I won’t speculate as to Mr. La Rue’s motives. I will say, however, that the planet did get a little warmer with the release of hot air from his submission.

The remainder of his article is essentially a compilation of snippets cherry-picked from the usual fossil fuel industry and conservative think tank-funded denial sites to some good web sites that provide reliable climate science data and news. Unfortunately, he seems to have ignored the evidence, data and research present at those same sources that thoroughly refute his conclusion.

In his analysis of the IPCC report, Mr. La Rue is quick to point out an acknowledgment by the report of a momentary pause in the warming trend, while ignoring the fact that the warming resumed after the pause and at an even faster rate. He also fails to mention that the broader report fully endorses the consensus among the climate science community that global warming is occurring, the rate is increasing, is almost entirely caused by human activity and failure to act decisively could be catastrophic.

So yes Mr. La Rue, the recent news from NASA and NOAA which confirms that the last 3 years are the hottest on record is absolutely something you and everyone else on earth should be sweating.   

— Paul Bardinas

Salisbury

Looking ahead

Now is the time to sign up for summer camps before they fill up. Horizons Unlimited is hosting Camp Invention July 10-14 and July 17-21 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Children entering K-6th grade can register at campinvention.org or 800-968-4332. This amazing camp is the launchpad for your child’s imagination. It is totally interactive learning. Kids will create their own personal, ultimate spy gadget alarm box by taking apart and upcycling everyday machines. They will explore a distant new exoplanet and design inventions to create the next earth. They’ll launch water rockets, build bubba blasters and engineer giant castles. 

Don’t let your kids sit around idle all summer — inspire them to learn, create, team up, build, design and do amazing things! Discounts and financial assistance available but you have to apply early!!! You can also contact Neil Pifer at neil.pifer@rss.k12.nc.us.

— Lori Goodnight

Salisbury