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Evan Kuhlman earns MVC Scholar-Athlete recognition

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UE junior has a 3.22 GPA

  University of Evansville junior Evan Kuhlman has been named a 2020 Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention in an announcement by the league on Thursday.

Kuhlman is playing the best basketball of his Purple Aces career.  He has made the start in each of the last 11 games, posting 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while playing 30.7 minutes per game over that span.

Those numbers have eclipsed his season averages, which stand at 5.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 18.2 minutes.  On February 16 at Drake, Kuhlman had the top game of his career, scoring 17 points while hitting five of his nine 3-point tries.  In the home game against SIU, Kuhlman recorded a career mark of seven blocks, just one shy of the program record.

He has six double digit games in his last nine outings; he did not score more than seven points in his first 15 contests.  In the classroom, the native of Liberty Township, Ohio is a Finance major with a 3.22 GPA.

EPD REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Seventh-inning spree sends Aces past Skyhawks

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Aces score four runs in seventh to win fourth straight
Using a big seventh inning, the University of Evansville baseball team found its offense late to push past UT Martin, 5-3, in a midweek matchup in Martin, Tenn. on Wednesday evening.

An offensive spree in the seventh inning helped the Aces build an advantage that the Skyhawks could not overcome on Wednesday.

Tied at one, senior Troy Beilsmith opened the stanza by earning a walk and eventually advancing to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Brent Widder then took advantage of a defensive mistake by UT Martin and reached on an error.

Patient as he has been much of the season, senior Ben Komonosky then drew a walk to load the bases for Evansville with no outs. Junior Mason Brinkley got an opportunity in the seventh, coming in as a pinch hitter for senior Craig Shepherd. Brinkley took a first-pitch strike before fouling-off a pitch and taking a ball to run the count to 1-2. On the next pitch, Brinkley ripped a double down the left-field line, scoring Beilsmith and Widder and providing the Aces with their first lead.

Evansville was not done offensively as junior Tanner Craig delivered an RBI single with one out and sophomore Danny Borgstrom recorded a sacrifice fly to help the Aces earn a 5-1 lead.

The Skyhawks would not go away without a fight as UT Martin answered with two runs in the bottom half of the seventh to close within two runs.

In the final two innings, Evansville had to fend off the Skyhawks, who opened each of the eighth and ninth innings with a runner on with no outs, but the Aces pitching came up strong in important moments. The ninth inning saw UT Martin earn a walk to lead-off the inning, but freshman pitcher Jace Kressin locked-down to close-out the game, inducing a fly-out and striking-out a pair, including a game-ending K to secure his second collegiate save.

Evansville is quickly back on the road this weekend for a three-game set against the College of Charleston on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Charleston, S.C.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECORDS

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https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

What I Am Doing For The Upcoming COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic

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What I Am doing For The Upcoming COVID-19 (coronavirus) Pandemic

by  James Robb, MD UC San Diego

Dear Colleagues, As some of you, may recall, when I was a professor of pathology at the University of California San Diego, I was one of the first molecular virologists in the world to work on coronaviruses (the 1970s). I was the first to demonstrate the number of genes the virus contained. Since then, I have kept up with the coronavirus field and its multiple clinical transfers into the human population (e.g., SARS, MERS), from different animal sources.

The current projections for its expansion in the US are only probable, due to continued insufficient worldwide data, but it is most likely to be widespread in the US by mid to late March and April.

Here is what I have done and the precautions that I take and will take. These are the same precautions I currently use during our influenza seasons, except for the mask and gloves.:

1) NO HANDSHAKING! Use a fist bump, slight bow, elbow bump, etc.

2) Use ONLY your knuckle to touch light switches. elevator buttons, etc.. Lift the gasoline dispenser with a paper towel or use a disposable glove.

3) Open doors with your closed fist or hip – do not grasp the handle with your hand, unless there is no other way to open the door. Especially important on bathroom and post office/commercial doors.

4) Use disinfectant wipes at the stores when they are available, including wiping the handle and child seat in grocery carts.

5) Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever you return home from ANY activity that involves locations where other people have been.

6) Keep a bottle of sanitizer available at each of your home’s entrances. AND in your car for use after getting gas or touching other contaminated objects when you can’t immediately wash your hands.

7) If possible, cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue and discard. Use your elbow only if you have to. The clothing on your elbow will contain an infectious virus that can be passed on for up to a week or more!

What I have stocked in preparation for the pandemic spread to the US:

1) Latex or nitrile latex disposable gloves for use when going shopping, using the gasoline pump, and all other outside activity when you come in contact with contaminated areas.
Note: This virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. This means that the air will not infect you! BUT all the surfaces where these droplets land is infectious for about a week on average – everything that is associated with infected people will be contaminated and potentially infectious. The virus is on surfaces and you will not be infected unless your unprotected face is directly coughed or sneezed upon. This virus only has cell receptors for lung cells (it only infects your lungs) The only way for the virus to infect you is through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth.

2) Stock up now with disposable surgical masks and use them to prevent you from touching your nose and/or mouth (We touch our nose/mouth 90X/day without knowing it!). This is the only way this virus can infect you – it is lung-specific. The mask will not prevent the virus in a direct sneeze from getting into your nose or mouth – it is only to keep you from touching your nose or mouth.

3) Stock up now with hand sanitizers and latex/nitrile gloves (get the appropriate sizes for your family). The hand sanitizers must be alcohol-based and greater than 60% alcohol to be effective.

4) Stock up now with zinc lozenges. These lozenges have been proven to be effective in blocking coronavirus (and most other viruses) from multiplying in your throat and nasopharynx. Use as directed several times each day when you begin to feel ANY “cold-like” symptoms beginning. It is best to lie down and let the lozenge dissolve in the back of your throat and nasopharynx. Cold-Eeze lozenges are one brand available, but there are other brands available.

I, as many others do, hope that this pandemic will be reasonably contained, BUT I personally do not think it will be. Humans have never seen this snake-associated virus before and have no internal defense against it. Tremendous worldwide efforts are being made to understand the molecular and clinical virology of this virus. Unbelievable molecular knowledge about the genomics, structure, and virulence of this virus has already been achieved. BUT, there will be NO drugs or vaccines available this year to protect us or limit the infection within us. Only symptomatic support is available.

I hope these personal thoughts will be helpful during this potentially catastrophic pandemic. You are welcome to share this email. Good luck to all of us!

Jim
James Robb, MD FCAP

FOOTNOTE:  Today’s “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that our local Hospitals are to prepared to take the Coronavirus head-on?

This article was sent to us by our good friend Ronald Riecken of Evansville.

Indiana Hospital Bill Proposal Rolled Back Amid Protest

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Indiana Hospital Bill Proposal Rolled Back Amid Protest

INDIANA LAWYER

Indiana lawmakers on Monday rolled back a proposal that could cut how much insurance companies pay for medical services performed at offices located away from a hospital’s main campus.

That action came after hundreds of doctors and nurses descended on the Statehouse as Indiana hospital officials protested the payment limitations that had been added to a bill Republican legislative leaders see as steps toward reining in ever-growing health care costs.

The proposal would have forced hospitals to charge for procedures based on where they are performed, meaning the hospital would be paid less for medical services performed at a cancer center or other clinics, not on its main campus.

Indiana Hospital Association President Brian Tabor said that would squeeze the revenue stream for many hospitals by upending the contracts they now have with insurance companies.

“It would be devastating — hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more, in cuts,” Tabor said. “That would mean closing services, reduction in staff and even the closure of entire hospitals.”

The state Senate voted unanimously in a voice vote Monday afternoon to remove those provisions as lawmakers faced a deadline next week to adjourn the legislative session. An amendment adopted would require hospitals to report to insurance companies details about the locations where procedures were performed.

Sen. Ed Charbonneau, a Valparaiso Republican, said lawmakers were taking the first steps in a long process in addressing health care costs.

“We are not going to solve all of the problems in one session and we have to take the long-term look at this,” Charbonneau said.

A Senate committee advanced the hospital billing proposal last week, even as legislators said they were struggling to specify what should be considered a hospital service and some senators said the possible impact on hospitals hadn’t been sufficiently reviewed.

Hospital-provided procedures will cost more because of the cost of providing services such as 24-hour emergency rooms, but procedures performed off-campus shouldn’t cost as much, said Rep. Ben Smaltz, the legislation’s sponsor.

“That bill is less because it just makes sense, the overhead is less,” said Smaltz, a Republican from Auburn.

Many rural hospitals operate on “razor-thin” operating margins, and revenue cuts could force closures, putting hospital services an hour’s drive for some patients, said Rob McClain, the president and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes.

Hospital officials point to some high-level services, such as cancer centers, that are deliberately placed away from hospitals to reduce the exposure of patients to potential illnesses.

Denise Dillard, the chief of advocacy for Methodist Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville, said an off-campus clinic that provides services to pregnant women could be shuttered if the legislation passed — even though it was deliberately positioned away from the hospital to make it more convenient for patients.

“It is about the patients we serve and access — making sure that they have a safe, high-quality place to go that is close to their home, not convenient to our structure,” Dillard said.

COMMENTARY: FREEDOM TO BUILD YOUR HOME YOUR WAY

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COMMENTARY

Freedom to Build Your Home Your Way

A home of one’s own has always been part of the American Dream.  Millions of Americans have considered building or moving into a smaller house. Some people want a true “tiny home” smaller than 400 square feet, a cultural phenomenon captured on shows like Tiny House Hunters. Others may just want a small house that’s right-sized and right-priced—for them. Recent action by the Vanderburgh County Commission, spearheaded by Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave, has given people considering a smaller house the right to build a house that’s right for them.

To some, smaller houses mean the ability to live in a more ecologically sustainable way, using fewer resources. For others, smaller houses mean a continued ability to live within their financial means, rather than being forced to build a house that’s too large for their budget. And some people just prefer smaller houses to larger ones.

Surprisingly, for decades, needless government regulations meant that such dwellings could not have been built in Vanderburgh County without a variance. County ordinances required new houses to be at least 720 square feet. At that size, tiny homes, and even many houses built in the early twentieth century, could not be built legally in Vanderburgh County.

It took a year to repeal this excessive regulation. Commissioner Musgrave led the way as unelected bureaucrats in the Area Plan Commission dragged their feet. With the repeal of the 720 minimum square foot rule, Vanderburgh County residents now have greater freedom to live sustainably and affordably. Commissioners Ben Shoulders and Jeff Hatfield also supported this important rule change.

“This rule change restores a little bit of freedom that had eroded away,” said Commissioner Musgrave. “Allowing smaller homes will make everyone better off by letting people choose the housing size that is right for them without the government restricting their choice arbitrarily.”

New housing must still comply with state building codes and other ordinances. Anyone wishing to build a smaller house should still check with the Building Commissioner and other offices to ensure their plans comply with safety and other regulations.

We commend Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave for thinking outside the box and taking a common-sense approach against overreaching bureaucratic regulations.  Oh, we are also glad that County Commissioner Jeff Hatfield and Ben Shoulders supported Mrs. Musgrave in this endeavor.

HAPPENINGS AT THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY GOP

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gop
Central Committee:
     Wayne Parke, Chairman
     Mary Jo Kaiser, Political Director
     Dottie Thomas, Vice Chairman
     Lon Walters, Secretary
     Farley Smith, Treasurer
     Kevin Harrison, Editor  
News and Upcoming Events for March 3, 2020

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Thank you for a Successful 2020 Lincoln Day Celebration

Last Friday evening, February 28, 2020, the Vanderburgh County Republican Party held its annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Evansville Country Club. This year’s Keynote Speaker Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb was joined onstage by Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer for an informal ‘fireside chat’. Among the topics discussed were the strength of the Indiana Republican Party, and how Republican leadership has made Indiana an economic success story and national leader in  job creation. Prior to Governor Holcomb taking the stage, introductory speeches were given by guest speakers Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and 8th District Congressman Dr. Larry Bucshon. Indiana State Representative Jim Tomes lead the gathering of approximately 180 in the Pledge of Allegiance and in the Invocation. Vanderburgh County GOP Chairman Wayne Parke presided over the event.

At the end of the Lincoln Day proceedings, Chairman Wayne Parke presented the 2020 Republican of the Year award to Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch for her lifetime of public service.
Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer (L) and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb at the 2020 VCRP Lincoln Day Dinner.
The Vanderburgh County Republican Party would like to thank everyone that helped make this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner a huge success!

Suzanne Crouch named 2020 Republican Of The Year 

Lt. Governor Suzanne Couch was named the 2020 recipient of the Republican of the Year Award at the conclusion of last Friday evening’s Vanderburgh County Lincoln Day Dinner. As has been the practice in past years, the introduction of the award winner is prefaced with facts about the individual’s life and accomplishments prior to revealing the name of the recipient.

The following remarks were made by VCRP Chairman Wayne Parke in announcing this year’s winner, Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch.
Five years ago, the Vanderburgh County Republican Party started giving a “Republican of the Year” Award. It is awarded to a person who has worked hard giving both time and money to make our City and County the best it can be. Past recipients of this award are Susie Kirk, Kevin Harrison, Frank Peterlin, Lloyd Winnecke and myself-all are here tonight.
Like those winners in the past, this year’s recipient has done an outstanding job supporting the Republican Party and the citizens of Vanderburgh County. Here are some hints as to who our Recipient is this year-can you guess who?
  • Our 2020 Recipient’s birthday was yesterday-February 27.
  • Our Recipient attended Mater Dei High School and got a BS Degree from Purdue University.
  • Our Recipient served as Chairman of the Vanderburgh Republican Party from 1989 thru 1993.
  • Our Recipient was elected Vanderburgh County Auditor in 1994 and served 8 years in that position. Our Recipient established a reputation of fighting for government efficiency, responsiveness, accountability and accessibility. For the first time in decades, the Office received a clean bill of health from the State Board of Accounts.
  • In 2002, our Recipient was elected to be a County Commissioner and then became President of that group and led the charge to televise the weekly meetings. For the first time, the Commissioners applied for and received federal transportation money for a local road project.
  • In 2005, our Recipient filled the State Representative position for HD 78 when Vaneta Becker move to the State Senate. This State Representative positon represents Vanderburgh, Spencer and Warrick Counties.
  • In 2013, our Recipient was appointed to fill the vacant Indiana State Auditor position. In 2014, our Recipient ran for the State Auditor position and beat the Democrat opponent by a 23 percent margin.
  • In 2016, when Mike Pence was selected to be Donald Trump’s running mate, Eric Holcomb became the Republican Governor candidate and our Recipient was selected to run for Lt Governor on the State Republican ticket.
  • Our Recipient married Larry Downs shortly after graduating from Purdue and they have a daughter, Courtney.

Fellow Republicans, let us stand and give a warm round of applause for our 2020 Vanderburgh County Republican of the Year-Suzanne Crouch!

Presented by: Wayne Parke,Chairman VCRP

 
Voter Registration for 2020 Primary Ends Monday, April 6, 2020

Voter Registration for the 2020 Primary Election ends Monday, April 6, 2020. Registration can be done online, by mail or in person.

Register to Vote Online: Register to vote online by visiting indianavoters.com. Indiana residents with a valid Indiana driver’s license or Indiana state-issued identification card will be able to use this tool to submit a new voter registration application or to update an existing voter registration record.

Register to Vote by Mail or In-Person: To register to vote or update your current registration by mail or in person, you will need to complete and return the Voter Registration Form (VRG-7) on or before April 6, 2020. ONLY the version of the state voter registration form (VRG-7) published on the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division website will be accepted by the Vanderburgh County Voter Registration office. Return the completed form to the Vanderburgh County Voter Registration office or the Indiana Election Division by midnight, April 6, 2020.

Get a copy of form VRG-7: Voter Registration Application by visiting the Indiana Voter Portal HERE
Mail your completed VRG-7 form to : Vanderburgh County Voter Registration
Civic Center Complex, Room 214
1 NW M.L. King, Jr. Blvd

Evansville, IN. 47708

You can also apply in person at the Vanderburgh County Voter Registration office or the Vanderburgh County Clerk’s office (Civic Center Complex, Room 216). For more information visit the Vanderburgh County Voters Registration webpage, or call 812-435-5222.

 
Early Voting (Absentee In-Person) begins at the Vanderburgh County Election Office on Tuesday, April 7, 2020
The first day that a voter may vote an absentee ballot for the 2020 Primary Election is Tuesday April 7, 2020. All registered voters in Indiana are eligible to vote in-person at the county election board office beginning 28 days before Election Day. Early voting at the Election Office will be 8:00 am – 4:00 pm weekdays starting Tuesday April 7 and conclude at Noon on Monday May 4, 2020.

To vote absentee by mail, complete the APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT found at the Vanderburgh County ClerkElections web page and mail it to:       Vanderburgh County Election

P.O. Box 3343

Evansville, IN 47732-3343

Absentee ballot applications and forms can also be found on the Indiana Voters Portal . If you have any questions, please call the Election Office at 812-435-5122.  The Vanderburgh County Election Office is located at :
1 NW ML King Jr. BLVD ,Evansville, IN

 2020 Republican Primary Candidates
FEDERAL
President of the United States      Donald J. Trump
 William Weld
U S Representative District 8       Larry Bucshon
STATE
Governor                Eric Holcomb
  Lt. Governor                Suzanne Crouch
 State Senate District 50               Vaneta Becker
State Representative  Dist. 64       Matt Hostettler
State Representative  Dist. 76       Wendy McNamara
State Representative  Dist. 77            OPEN
State Representative  Dist. 78       Holli Sullivan
VANDERBURGH
Clerk of the Circuit Court             Carla Hayden
County Recorder                           Debbie Stucki
County Treasurer                          Dottie Thomas
County Coroner                                  OPEN
County Surveyor                          Linda Freeman
County Commissioner Dist. 1      Zachary Rascher
County Commissioner Dist. 3      Randall Chapman
(Vote for 1)                            Cheryl Musgrave (incumbent)
County Council At-Large            Billy D. Garrett
   (Vote for not more than 3)                Jill Hahn
        Joe Kiefer (incumbent)
        Angela Koehler Lindsey (incumbent)

  
The VCRP is currently filling poll worker positions for the May 5, 2020 Primary Election. To be a poll workers you must be a registered voter residing in Vanderburgh County. Additionally, poll workers cannot be a close relative to a candidate whose name appears on the ballot, and cannot be the chairman or treasurer of the committee of the candidate whose name appears on the ballot.
Vote Center Poll Worker compensation is $275 for Inspectors, $195 for Republican Judges and$195 for Republican Clerks. Training is a requirement.   For more information or to volunteer to be a Republican poll worker contact the Vanderburgh County GOP at 812-425-8207 or Email VCRP Political Director Mary Jo Kaiser at beamerjo59@gmail.com

  Kiefer Fundraiser This Thursday, March 5, 2020:


Print Flyer

 County Council Meeting-   Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020

  

 
   Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Room 301, Civic Center Complex
                1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
 For more information visit

County Council

 City Council Meeting-      Date: Monday, March 9, 2020
     Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Room 301, Civic Center Complex
                1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
 For more information visit

City Council

EVSC Board of School Trustees Meeting-
  Date: March 9, 2020
             Time: 5:30 PM
 Location: Board Room, EVSC Administration Building
                  951 Walnut St., Evansville
For more information visit the Board of School Trustees web page.

 County Commission Meeting-      Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2020
     Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Room 301, Civic Center Complex
                1 NW Martin Luther King Blvd, Evansville
 For more information visit

County Commissioners

VCRP Central Committee Meeting-      Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Time: 11:30AM
    Location: GOP Headquarters
   815 John Street, Evansville
  Meetings are open to all Vanderburgh County Precinct Committeemen

Meet Your Legislators – Saturday, March 14, 2020
Time: 9:15 AM (doors open at 9:00 AM)
Location:Central Library- Browning Rooms
200 SE ML King BLVD, Evansville
Local state legislators are invited to make themselves available to answer questions on the second Saturday of each month during each legislative session. This is the final meeting for 2020.

VCRP Monthly Breakfast  -  Date: March 21, 2020
Time: 7:30 AM doors open / 8:00 AM Program
Location:  C.K. Newsome Center , Room 118A-B
    100 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN 47713
 For more information contact Mary Jo Kaiser at 812-425-8207 or email beamerjo59@gmail.com

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Are you looking for an opportunity to help your Indiana Republican Party and make a differencein the lives of Hoosiers? Then look no further! We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated Republicans to join our grassroots team as field organizers and political interns!
Learn more at Join Our Team!

Join Us at the 2020 Indiana Republican State Convention
The Indiana Republican State Convention will be June 19-20 in Indianapolis. We’ve updated our website with information you’ll need about state convention, so if you’re planning to attend, make sure to check it out.
Get Convention information HERE.

Ensuring elections are safe from cyber threats (from 2/28/20 News Update)

Our elections are increasingly reliant upon technology as a means of efficiency and convenience for Hoosiers. However, we have to be extra vigilant in defending our democratic process from cyber attacks.  I sponsored a cybersecurity bill that would help further protect Indiana election and security systems statewide by requiring counties and the secretary of state to provide another layer of security for local election departments. Under this bill, new cybersecurity software would help monitor internet traffic accessing websites and databases to eliminate threats.

As we head into the 2020 elections, this extra measure could help increase voter confidence and ensure the integrity of the election system is not compromised. Indiana continues to be a leader in ensuring the security of its elections.The proposal has passed the Senate and is being deliberated upon in the House. Please let me know if you have any questions about this or any other legislation by contacting me at h78@iga.in.gov or 1-800-382-9841.

Saving lives through Indiana’s Safe Haven Laws
Indiana is now leading the nation in the number of baby boxes, with 21 installed throughout the state, and more communities are working to add them. If a Safe Haven Baby Box is not available, parents can still legally surrender their infant under the Safe Haven Law. This law allows people to anonymously leave infants younger than 30 days old with emergency service providers with no questions asked, as long as the child shows no signs of abuse.

Bill protecting seniors, minors from exploitation heads to governor
The House of Representatives voted in support of a bill sponsored by State Rep. Wendy McNamara that would help protect vulnerable Hoosiers from financial exploitation.
McNamara said exploitation is the fastest growing and most common type of elder abuse, and exploitation of minors is also a concern. Examples include foster children who have their Supplemental Security Income erroneously used by their parents, or senior citizens suffering from diseases like Alzheimer’s being preyed upon.
Learn more HERE

 
Follow Bills introduced during the 2020 General Assembly Legislative Session  HERE

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Young Calls for Passage of Two Pro-Life Bills to Protect Innocent Children: (from 02/25/20 News Release)

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today spoke about protecting the rights of unborn children and the need to pass two bills being voted on in the Senate today: the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Senator Young is a cosponsor of both bills.

“Pro-life principles are supported by a majority of Americans and these bills are critical to protect all of our children,” said Senator Young. “Last year in Indiana, the horrific discovery of more than 2,000 aborted children was made in the basement of the late South Bend abortionist Dr. Klopfer. This sickening discovery underscores how important it is for our colleagues to join with us to protect innocent life. We need to come together and pass these bills for the sake of our children.”

 “The Johns Hopkins, – is a highly respected, great place – they did a study, comprehensive: The Countries Best and Worst Prepared for an Epidemic. And the United States is now – we’re rated number one.  We’re rated number one for being prepared”   President Trump (February 26, 2020)
President Trump places Vice-President Mike Pence in charge of Coronavirus Task Force.

 
Stay in touch with GOP members of Congress representing our area (click links below):

Visit the Vanderburgh GOP 

page for daily updates.

  Mark Your calendar                CLICK on event for more information
March 4 (3:30 pm)
March 5 (5:30 pm) Kiefer for County Council Fundraiser
March 9 (5:30 pm) City Council Meeting
March 9 (5:30 pm) EVSC Board of Trustees Meeting
March 10  (3:00 pm) County Commission Meeting
March 14 (9:15 am) Meet Your Legislators
March 21 (7:30am) VCRP Monthly Breakfast
April 6
Voter Registration Ends
April 7
Early Voting at the Election Office Begins

  Make sure you add vandygop@gmail.com to your address book so we’ll be sure to land in your inbox!

If you have any questions, contact Mary Jo Kaiser, VCRP Political Director, at

or (812) 425-8207.
for more info. Thank you.
Paid for by the Vanderburgh County Republican Party, Farley Smith, Treasurer

Rep. Jim Baird Introduces Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act

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Representative Jim Baird (R-IN) along with his colleagues Reps. TJ Cox (D-CA), Brian Mast (R-FL), Chip Roy (R-TX) Dean Phillips (D-MN), and Max Rose (D-NY) introduced Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act which extends wartime veterans benefits, including the Veterans Pension and health care, to the nearly 3,000 officers and enlisted men who served in the US Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). These brave men served during the Vietnam War but are currently ineligible for many of these benefits because the Department of Veterans Affairs only recognizes the Vietnam War Era from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975.

This legislation looks to change the time period and have the VA recognize the men of the US Military Assistance Advisory Group as Vietnam War Veterans. This will allow these veterans to receive the benefits they’ve earned.

“We are indebted to those who defended our Country during the Vietnam War. They placed duty to Country over themselves and sacrificed so others wouldn’t have to. Our Country can never repay that debt, but we can ensure these brave veterans receive the benefits they deserve,” said Rep. Baird.

“Anyone who has served our country in times of war deserves our respect and the benefits they earned,” said Rep. Cox. “The brave servicemen in the US Military Assistance Advisory Group have not been given the benefits they are entitled to. This legislation will right that wrong.”

“The men and women who put on the uniform to defend our nation during the Vietnam War made the decision to put country before self. We will never be able to repay them for their sacrifice but ensuring those who served in Vietnam have access to the benefits they earned is the least we can do,” Rep. Mast said. “That’s what this bill is all about.”

 “The brave soldiers who selflessly fought in Vietnam deserve our full and unwavering support. This legislation ensures that all those who fought in Vietnam get the benefits they deserve,” said Rep. Roy.

“As a Gold Star Son who lost my father in the Vietnam War, veteran and military issues are deeply important to me,” said Rep. Phillips. “Our nation has always found the resources to go to war, and we must also find the resources necessary to provide the support our veterans deserve when they come home. This bill ensures that those who served get the benefits they have earned.”

“Whenever our soldiers sign up to go to war, it’s a commitment that should be a two-way street: they promise to put their lives on the line for their country, and we promise that we’ll always have their backs when they come home,” said Rep. Rose. “This bill is our chance to make good on that promise, and I’m proud to support making sure these heroes get the benefits they deserve.”

The Forgotten Vietnam Veterans Act is also supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

“More than 3,000 veterans served in Vietnam from November 1, 1955 to February 27, 1961, ten of whom were killed in action,” said Matthew Doyle, Associate Director National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars.  “However, veterans who served in Vietnam prior to February 28, 1961 are not considered wartime veterans and likewise are ineligible for certain VA benefits.  The VFW is proud to support this legislation, which would change the statutory definition of Vietnam veteran to include those who served in the Republic of Vietnam beginning on November 1, 1955.”

 

AG Curtis Hill: Supreme Court Should Preserve States’ Authority To Fight Rising Drug Costs

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Attorney General Curtis Hill said today that states must be permitted to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in order to fight soaring prescription drug costs. In a filing to the U.S. Supreme Court, he and 45 other attorneys general are supporting efforts by the state of Arkansas to defend this prerogative.

While few people are even familiar with the term “PBMs,” roughly four out of five Americans get their prescription drugs through them. PBMs reimburse pharmacies on behalf of health care plans and, in turn, bill those plans for their beneficiaries’ prescriptions.

Although they initially played a modest role in the U.S. health care system, certain business practices of modern PBMs have had profound consequences for pharmacies, patients and states alike.

In 2015, Arkansas adopted a statute that requires PBMs to raise their reimbursement rate for a drug if that rate is below a pharmacy’s primary wholesaler’s price. The law also created an appeal process for pharmacies to challenge PBMs’ reimbursement rates.

Shortly after the law was passed, a trade association of PBMs challenged the statute, arguing it was preempted by a federal law — the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the trade association. Arkansas, though, petitioned for a review of the case by the U.S. Supreme Court, which was granted Jan. 10.

“Although this case centers on the state of Arkansas, an unfavorable ruling could jeopardize other states’ efforts to regulate PBMs,” Attorney General Hill said. “The Supreme Court should preserve states’ authority to fight rising prescription drug costs.”

In 2018, the Indiana General Assembly passed a statute that imposes transparency requirements on PBMs. Because Indiana’s law could also face an ERISA preemption challenge, Attorney General Hill said, Indiana has a strong interest in supporting Arkansas in this case.

The brief in Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association argues that there are compelling policy reasons why so many states have undertaken efforts to regulate PBMs. It also argues that ERISA does not preempt the regulation of relationships between PBMs and pharmacies because PBMs are not ERISA plans. Rather, the brief argues, PBMs are third-party businesses that contract with many different parties, including ERISA plans.

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