Install speed bumps in North Hampton

6:37 PM Saturday, March 20, 2010

Read the fine print in Advantage plans

Currently the insurance industry has been flooding the media with commercials claiming all of the advantages of their so-called “Medicare Advantage Plans” (which are subsidized by our government: a multi-billion dollar gift to the insurance industry)

Those seniors who are considering a Medicare Advantage Plan should ask the insurance provider the following questions; to determine who actually receives the advantage:

• Does your Medicare Advantage Plan accept all seniors (even those with a pre-existing condition) like Medicare does?

• Does it cover all physicians who honor traditional Medicare?

• Does it cover all medical facilities that honor traditional Medicare?

• Does it allow physicians to determine the necessary medical procedures?

• Does it allow physicians to determine the length of hospital stays?

• Does it guarantee continued coverage if you develop a particular health problem?

• And does it abide by all of the rules and regulations covered by Medicare?

The answers to the above questions will be a resounding “no” except perhaps a “no-but” or some other form of double talk.

The “exclusions” — what is not covered — is the most important part of any insurance policy.

Read the fine print carefully.

William Cook

Springfield

Donations of warm clothing appreciated

In times of difficult economic conditions, we are all aware of the serious, global financial needs. We also are well aware of the many individuals in our community who are in need of the basic necessities of life. Many local churches, businesses, social agencies and individuals are working to assist those in need.

I applaud all of those entities for their efforts at improving living conditions in our community. However, sometimes we get so caught up in the big picture that we lose sight of the little ones.

Fortunately, that is not true of everyone. Once in each of the last two weeks, someone has entered the office at Clark Preschool and dropped off big boxes of new mittens, gloves and hats. We are grateful not only for their generosity, but especially for their thoughtfulness. The teachers at Clark will see that as many students as possible get what they need from the donated items.

To the persons who made these donations and the many others in our community who do similar acts of charity: Thank you.

Steve Whitacre

Preschool Supervisor

Clark Preschool

Install speed bumps in North Hampton

The solution to the alleged speed trap in North Hampton is to install speed bumps through town. If there is a problem with state law forbidding this measure, then change the state law.

You could, therefore, reduce the exhausting part-time manpower situation on the already overwhelmed police department. I also believe the speed bumps would be more effective, since they would be there at all times and wouldn’t require a policeman so much to guard.

This would also help take away the appearance of a revenue collection for the police department and North Hampton. Obviously, something isn’t working, as demonstrated by the number of tickets they are writing. After all, the citations are issued after the fact of speeding.

The speed bumps would be a more effective solution and could be paid for by tickets already written. I wouldn’t know the space required between bumps, it probably varies according to the speed in the zone in question.

This could also alleviate what must be an overwhelmed mayor’s court magistrate.

John R. Fleming

Abby Comstock

Springfield

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