Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/6877
BY ADAM GELLER AP National Writer To critics, a 39 percent hike in health insurance for some Californians foretells skyrocketing rates for the rest of us. Not so, says the company, arguing the increase only hits a relatively small number of people and the economy is to blame. But the rhetoric from both sides distorts the reality. It's true that hikes like the one by WellPoint Inc. apply only to people who buy individual insurance and are unlikely to spread to the majority of Ameri- cans covered through their employers. But such hikes also hit a huge num- ber of Americans who mostly went unmentioned in the furor — the 46 mil- lion with no insurance at all. That's because for most people who don't get insurance through their jobs and do not qual- ify for government assis- tance, the only option is buying individual policies like the ones in Well- Point's Anthem Blue Cross plan, often with high deductibles. Raise prices, and peo- ple without insurance are even less likely to buy it — healthy people espe- cially. Meanwhile, older and sicker customers pay more and more, running up high health bills in a shrinking pool. That conundrum is at the heart of a disagree- ment that has frozen Democratic health reform efforts in Congress. Reform bills would require most of the unin- sured to buy coverage, an idea many Americans detest as heavy-handed government. But without sharing costs across the broadest cross-section of con- sumers and prohibiting insurers from charging people different premi- ums depending on their health status, the result is a scenario very much like Anthem's. ''I know the American people get frustrated in debating something like health care because you get a whole bunch of dif- ferent claims being made by different groups and different interests,'' Presi- dent Barack Obama said earlier this week in addressing the Anthem hike. ''But what is also true is that without some action on the part of Con- gress, it is very unlikely that we see any improve- ment in the current trajec- tory ... The current trajec- tory is more and more people are losing health care.'' Anthem will postpone its plan to raise rates for By GEOFF JOHNSON DN Staff Writer Months, in some cases years, of practice led to the Fourth Annual Red Bluff Exchange Club Search for Talent Saturday night for 17 local students. Taking home the biggest prizes of the night were Ashtin Lopeman, 9, in the Primary Category for her rendition of "Shy" from Once Upon a Mat- tress; Stacy Stone, 14, in the Junior Category for her cover of "Born to be Wild" and Asiah Schara- ga, 16, in the Senior Cate- gory for her rendition of "Don't Rain My Parade" from Funny Girl. Each will now have the chance to compete at the Sierra Pacific Exchange Clubs' District Conven- tion in May in Oroville. The event's benefits are not limited to the plaques or participation medals awarded to everyone who had the guts to face down a packed Veterans Hall. In a time when school budgets are hitting a low note and music programs are anything but assured, the show offers children an outlet for their musical talents. The show is clear evi- dence that students still are interested in music. A crowded hall can transform an otherwise unintimidating stage, but another benefit to the tal- ent show is it guarantees a familiar audience. "I figured, most of the people I know," 11-year- old Helen Roland said. That familiarity was enough to help her sing her way to Second Place in the Junior Division. For repeat contender Paige Prinz, the night was her last chance at Exchange Club recogni- tion. Prinz, an 18-year-old competing in the Senior Category, covered Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" in both vocal and guitar. It was not enough to sway judges, but the aspir- ing theater arts major had no regrets about her time in the competition — one she would recommend to any student who wants to step into the spotlight, she said. As for stage fright, when it's time to perform, her solution is simple. "I just get up and do it," she said. ——— Geoff Johnson can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114 or gjohnson@redbluffdailyn ews.com. Weather forecast 8B Mostly Cloudy 65/50 N EWS D AILY DAILY 50¢ MONDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2010 2010 Winter Olympics Local Wrestling Breaking news at: www.redbluffdailynews.com N EWS D AILY RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 SPORTS 2B SPORTS 1B 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Learn QuickBooks Six Wedensday (Feb. 24 thru March 31) Time: 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm Cost: $99.00 per person Location: Job Training Center, 718 Main St., Red Bluff Call 529-7000 to Register A man, a plan, an award Daily News photo by Tang Lor Person of the Year George Robson at his desk working on planning projects for the county. By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer Tehama County Planning Direc- tor George Robson has been named the 2010 Tehama Economic Devel- opment Corporation Person of the Year. It was unanimously agreed the selection of Robson was long over- due, said Bill Moule, chairman of the corporation's board of directors. "George has diligently directed the planning department in a high- ly-professional and exemplary manner," Moule said. "No matter who or what the applicant or project was, each was treated with profes- sionalism and encouragement. Throughout the years, George's continual can do attitude has bene- fited a multitude of people and industries in realizing their project goals." Those who have worked with Robson over his more than 30 years with the county attest to his profes- sionalism and willingness to help. "George has been timely, profes- Driver loses police by entering orchard CORNING — A vehicle with an expired registration evaded police early Friday morning by fleeing into an orchard. The driver was spotted on Corning Road near Barham Avenue shortly after 3 a.m. Instead of pulling over once signaled, the driver turned onto Rawson Road and sped up to 70 mph, heading north in the oncoming lane before turning onto Simpson Road, according to a press release. After swerving through an orchard and pulling back onto Rawson, the car turned back into an orchard and police, unable to drive into the orchard, gave up chase. If found the driver would likely be arrested on sus- picion of recklessly evading a peace officer. —Staff report Council to view mobile museum The Shasta Cascade Wonderland Associa- tion's California Airstream trailer will make a stop at the Red Bluff City Council meet- ing Tuesday. Council members and the public will get the chance to tour the mobile museum, which features sites from around the North State, including an exhibit on the Red Bluff Round-Up. The exhibit is coming to Red Bluff due to the efforts of the Red Bluff- Tehama County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Kristin Behrens will be at the meeting for the pre- sentation and to introduce the chamber's new Execu- tive Vice President Dave Gowan. Other agenda items • The council will con- sider making an appoint- ment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Two have applied — Corning resident Janis Marlene, a retired civil servant, and Alexander Jacobs, a student at Red Bluff Union High School. • A representative from the California Product Stewardship Council will make a presentation about the Extended Producer Responsibility policies, and the council will con- sider adopting a resolu- tion supporting the policy. The policy makes pro- ducers accountable for managing their products at the end of their useful life in order to divert waste from the landfill, and encourage creation of reuse, buy back and recy- cling programs. • Planning Director Scot Timboe will make a presentation about the Planning Department. Local talents take the stage Daily News photo by Geoff Johnson Red Bluff Union High School Student Stacy Stone, 14, sings "Born to be Wild" Saturday night at the Fourth Annual Red Bluff Exchange Club Search for Talent Show. Talent show results Primary Division 1st Place - Ashtin Lopeman, 9, Bend Ele- mentary 2nd Place - Brette Stout, 9, Plum Valley School 3rd Place - Cadence Killam, 7, Antelope Ele- mentary Junior Division 1st Place - Stacy Stone, 14, Red Bluff Union High School 2nd Place - Helen Roland, 11, Lassen View Elementary 3rd Place - Maddie Vinson and Tristin Endi- cott, 9 and 11, Richfield Elementary Senior Division 1st Place - Asiah Scharaga, 16, Red Bluff Union High School 2nd Place - Kalynne Schoelen, 15, Red Bluff Union High School 3rd Place - Chelsea Johnson, 17, Red Bluff Union High School A rate hike for the few — until it's you See MAN, page 7A See HIKE, page 7A