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Show 4. 2M3 - The Eureka Reporter - Page Three Freedom Pledge plans finalized The Fourth of July Grand Parade in Provo will set u record for the largest known number of people simultaneously reciting The Pledge of Allegiance at an outdoor enue. Over 250,000 spectators are expected to be in at this year's attendance Fourth of July parade. The event, in which all parade entries and spectators will be encouraged to recite the Pledge simultaneously, has been dubbed "Operation Freedom Pledge." It will occur at 9:11 a.m., after a observing period of silence and reflection. When it is nearly time for the Freedom Pledge to begin, over 5(X) local Boy Scouts will line the parade route, each holding an American Flag. A signal will be given to start the Pledge of Allegiance, upon which a special guest will lead the crowd in one-minu- te reciting The Pledge of Allegiance. Spectators will be able to hear the proceedings over the parade announcer speakers, via police speakers or on the radio at KSTAR 1400AM. David Pratt, Grand Parade Chair, is enthusiastic about the event. "We're really looking forward to it. This is an opportunity for all Be the spectators to be not just spectators, but to participate with the parade," he said. Gene Manning, Chair of the Freedom Pledge, is confident this will be a memorable experience for involved. "In the spirit everyone of where the nation is right now, this is going to be one of the most patriotic experiences of a lifetime," Manning said. He said The Pledge of Allegiance recitation will be poignant, as nearly 300 thousand people will people will join in looking at flags down the parade route and recite the Pledge together. Portions of the Freedom Pledge will be broadcast over the Armed Forces TV network, for troops around the country and abroad to view. The idea to combine all voices along the parade route in reciting the pledge came to Parade Committee member Boh Morey, shortly after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down The Pledge of last year. Me Allegiance will be a way this anticipates to help everyone on the parade route participate and to have the pledge relayed to the world fashion. in a noticeable Landmark Medicare bill passes Sen. Orrin Hatch (R- Utah) announced that the United States Senate passed a historic prescription drug benefit for the Medicare program in a 76 to 21 vote Friday. wait "The decades-lon- g for Medicare beneficiaries is finally over," Hatch said. "The Senate has passed a plan that will bring real relief to seniors and the disabled while preserving the program's stability and financial No longer will viability. seniors be forced to cut their pills in half, choose between food or drugs, or look across the border for their vital prescription drug needs." S. 1, the Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003, wili guarantee that all beneficiaries will have access to an affordable prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Every bene- -' ficiary will have the option to enroll in a voluntary prescription drug program starting January 1, 2006, with a temporary prescription drug card available next January to reduce prescription costs during the time before this bill takes effect. "The fundamental ideas behind this plan are flexibility, competition and choice," Hatch said. "We ensured that this bill would preserve traditional Medicare, while beneficiaries to allowing choose a plan that best fits their needs. " Those who choose to remain in traditional Medi- - care will receive a standalone drug benefit, while those who decide to enroll in a new program, will have the of option selecting a drug benefit as part of either a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) or Health Management Organization (HMO) plan administered through the private sector. "With this bill, beneficiaries will have an exciting menu of alternative types of Medicare-Advantag- benefits and e, cost-shari- of arrangementsinstead today's program," Hatch said. also included several provisions authored by Hatch to strengthen and improve the Medicare program: Equal Pay for Equal Work: Ensures that Utah physicians receive fair com1 pensation from Medicare, which currently uses a complicated formula-t- hc geo- graphic physician cost index--t- o reimburse physicians based on presumed regional differences in the costs of their work, practice expenses and medical liability insurance premiums. In almost every case, the current for-- , inula penalizes physicians who practice in rural settings. Regulatory Reform: vides regulatory relief doctors and Pro- for hospitals swamped by Medicare paperwork and red tape, saving countless needed to improve our nation's health care quality. This study would focus on the Medicare program. America's largest health care purchaser, to identify specific, long-terimprovements that would dramatically improve health care quality. Health Care National Reform Plan: Launches a national public discussion about improving the health care system to enable Americans to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage. The provision guarantees that both houses of Congress will conduct hearings on the recommendations. Study on Pharmacy Services in Nursing Facilities: Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a review of the current standards of practice for pharmacy services provided to patients in nursing m n government-ru- S. to process claims and allowing health providers to spend their time treating patients instead of shuffling paper. In addition, these provisions will improve Medicare services for Medicare beneficiaries. Health Care Quality Study: Directs the Institute of Medicine to study what is wasted hours, facilities. The Medicare Improvements for Special Needs Beneficiaries Act: Improves access to health care for frail and elderly Medicare beneficiaries who reside in nursing homes or their local making it easier for doctors a positive role model Volunteers arc invited to serve as a role model for youth by teaching life skills at the Division of Youth Corrections. The Division of Youth Corrections is a treatment center for youth who may not have a more appropriate home to live. Many youth come from difficult backgrounds and volunteers give them hope that there are people who care about them. Volunteers help residents their lives for the change m r 0, D at-ri- sk Q better. Linda Campbell, volunteer coordinator for the Division of Youth Corrections says that the youth respond well to volunteers and are impressed that people will offer their help without pay. "Volunteers offer caring and support and are great models for the youth," says Campbell. can Volunteers teach residents how to live on their own, apply for jobs and fill out resumes. Volunteers can also help tutor students with their homework or assist with the literacy program. Classes may he taught for yoga, cake decorating, foreign language skills and building model airplanes. MTC Delivery Servi now available at The Springville Herald 161 South Main, Springville 489-565- 1 Packages $1.50 Letters $1 .00 Large packages $2 Packages G n in by 4 p.m. weekdays delivered to the MTC the same day. No balloon bouquets. Flowers must be boxed up. No perishable foods accepted. No special packaging required. No Saturday delivery! 'cap- - to 0 'IF |
