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Requiring Rx management for Iowa Medicaid patients

News

February 27th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Republicans in the Iowa Senate are pressing to require a face-to-face review with a pharmacist whenever a Medicaid recipient in Iowa gets a new prescription from their doctor. Senator Bill Dix, a Republican from Shell Rock, says it’s about controlling costs. “Medical therapy management is a concept that is utilizing local pharmacists in meeting with patients who’ve been prescribed medications from their doctor and making sure there are no harmful interactions,” Dix says, “that they’re taking them properly and also looking to find potential savings if they can use generics and things like that.” 

In 2005, the legislature in Minnesota set up a system which pays licensed pharmacists to conduct these sorts of consultations with Minnesotans who quality for government-paid health insurance. Dix says Iowa has had a similar pilot program and it’s time to expand it statewide for Iowans who qualify for Medicaid.  “In the pilot project that medical therapy management technique has shown to potentially save the state million of dollars, on top of what’s currently being saved,” Dix says. “It holds strong promise to save taxpayers a lot of money and to ensure better care of the patients.” 

Medicaid provides health care to Iowans who are disabled, low income and to thousands of children whose parents cannot afford health insurance. In addition, many senior citizens on Medicare are part of similar medical therapy management programs, as a result of the prescription drug benefit extended to seniors a decade ago. A 2006 study found 65 percent of elderly patients were prescribed a drug that was unnecessary. And a study conducted last year found nearly half of all Americans used at least one prescription drug in the previous month.

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Royce White Named Big 12 Rookie of the Week

Sports

February 27th, 2012 by Jim Field

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State’s Royce White was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week today for the third time this season. White also won the award on Dec. 14 and Jan. 9 and earned Iowa State’s sixth rookie of the week honor of the season.

White received the award by a panel of media who cover the Big 12 Conference.

White averaged a double-double (11 points/11 rebounds) last week as the Cyclones knocked off Texas Tech at home, 72-54, and picked up a challenging road win at Kansas State, 65-61. The sophomore flirted with getting to his second triple-double of the season in both games, as he dished out eight assists against the Red Raiders and seven against the Wildcats for a 7.5 apg average during the week.

White continues to lead Iowa State in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. The Minneapolis native is the only player in the Big 12 to hold a top-five ranking in rebounds (9.2) and assists (5.1). White is averaging 6.9 assists in his last seven games.

Iowa State’s other Big 12 Rookie of the Week winners include: Chris Allen (Feb. 13), Chris Babb (Nov. 28) and Tyrus McGee (Jan. 23). Iowa State is the only school in the history of the Big 12 to have four different players earn Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors in a season.

2012 Cass County Fair Schedule released

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 27th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the ISU Extension Service in Cass County have released the schedule for the 2012 Cass County Fair, which runs from July 26th through the 31st. (The complete schedule can be found at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/NR/rdonlyres/FD79263F-7EEC-4FD2-9AAE-9A47B9EACD65/164027/2012Schedule_CassCountyFair.pdf )

Events begin Thursday, July 26th, with the Swine, Rabbit, Horse, Poultry, Dairy and beef entry sign-ins, entry and judging of 4-H static exhibits, and a food sale at the Community Center. Later that same evening, the King and Queen Contest will take place, along with Senior Recognition.

Friday’s activities (July 27th) include: the Rabbit, Horse and Feeder Calf shows; and a bull riding competition. On Saturday, July 28th, there’ll be a Sheep and Pet show, livestock judging, and ATV races.

Events Sunday (July 28th) include: the Swine, Poultry, Dog and Horse Fun shows; Decorator’s showcase; and a Tractor Pull.  Sunday and Monday afternoon, there will also be a “Skid Loader Rodeo.”

The last full day of activities on Monday, July 30th, will include: the Beef, Dairy/Dairy Goat, and Goat shows; Best of Iowa; a watermelon feed; Style show and building awards; and Grand Champion Beef selection. The Fair concludes Tuesday morning, July 31st, with the Livestock Sale. Clean-up activities will occur the following day.

For more information on the 2012 Cass County Fair, call 712-243-1132, or e-mail xcass@iastate.edu. On the web at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass

1A Boys Substate Final: Exira-EHK vs. Nodaway Valley 02-25-2012

Podcasts, Sports

February 27th, 2012 by admin

Jim Field and Chris Parks have the call of the game played Saturday, February 25th at SWCC in Creston.

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Feedlot Operator talks to youth about beef selection process

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 27th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A custom feedlot owner operator from Adams County told attendees at Sunday afternoon’s Rolling Hills Heifer Project banquet and awards program in Atlantic, that when he purchases feeder cattle, whether it be from auctions or through private sale, he takes a lot of time asking questions about the animals’ health, quality and when, where, and how he will harvest and market the animals. Todd Drake, who owns Nodaway Valley Feeders, in Nodaway, said his decision is ultimately impacted by how healthy the cow is. He says he likes to purchase cattle which come directly from the mother cow, complete with a round-to-modified live vaccine, about three-weeks prior to shipment.

Drake says cattle which are weaned have more value to him, depending on the time of the year. He says he also likes to buy cattle which are on a “non-starch” diet, or those who eat very little corn. He says he doesn’t want the cattle to be “huge” before he buys them. He recommends forage based diets for the animals. As for quality, Drake says the types of animals that bring in the most money at his feedlots, are those with capacity, and spring of rib depth. He says he wants cattle “That can consume a lot of dry matter.” Cattle “With some width between their front legs and plenty of spring of rib,” appear to be their lowest cost of gains or best dry matter conversions.

Drake says it’ important for the animal to have some size. He says they like to have steers that finish out at around 1,350-pounds, and heifers that finish at 1,250-pounds. Drake says he has not preference when it comes to color and breed of the cow, but the bottom-line on closeouts is, that those animals with at least three-quarters English blood in them provide the best closeouts. That would include those animals bred to Charolais, Simmental, and some exotics. The “half-and-half” bloods…such as a Charolais bred to an Angus cow…don’t work as well, he says, when it comes to dry matter conversion.

Drake says he spends a lot of time on marketing the animals he gets into his feedlot, and get them harvested before it gets too hot, or late in the fall. He left the young people at Sunday’s meeting with a phrase to remember when purchasing their own cows in the future. He says great calves to buy should grade about 70% choice and about 70% one and two yield grades. Many of the animals he purchases come from Florida, Montana, the Sand Hills of Nebraska and elsewhere, but the majority comes from northern Missouri and southern Iowa.

8AM Sportscast 02-27-2012

Podcasts, Sports

February 27th, 2012 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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Heartbeat Today 02-27-2012

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

February 27th, 2012 by admin

Jim Field talks about some tips to help your vehicle’s fuel economy.

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8AM Newscast 02-27-2012

News, Podcasts

February 27th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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ALPHONS NICHOLAS GOESER, 87 of Earling (2-29-12)

Obituaries

February 27th, 2012 by Jim Field

ALPHONS NICHOLAS GOESER, 87, of Earling died Sunday, February 26th at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.   Mass of Christian Burial for Alphons Nicholas Goeser will be held on Wednesday, February 29th at 10:00 am in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling.  Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

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Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the funral home with the family present from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  A rosary will be held at 7:30 pm.

Burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.

ALPHONS NICHOLAS GOESER is survived by:

3 Sons: Darrell (Margie Emswiller) Goeser of Dunlap; David Goeser of Earling & Dean Goeser

Daughter: Janie (Bill) Cleary of Bismark, ND

Son-in-Law: Cal Lamprecht of New Castle, NE

Sisters: Margaret (Dick) Connell of Omaha & Theresa Zimmerman of New Richmond, WI

Brother: Joseph (Monica) Goeser of Red Wing, MN

7AM Newscast 02-27-2012

News, Podcasts

February 27th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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