CHRISTUS Health Plan Available in Wood County But Not Hopkins
CHRISTUS Health Plan is available to residents of Cherokee, Smith and Wood Counties and is the only individual/family Health Insurance Marketplace provider in-network with CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1, 2017 through December 15, 2017. The last date to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, 2018 is December 15, 2017. Due to this year’s shortened Open Enrollment period, health care leaders are advising patients to visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov to secure health insurance coverage that begins January 1, 2018.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) report enrollment is up 46-percent for the first two weeks nationally, as compared to 2016. But while health care providers are encouraged by the early turnout, they recommend patients avoid any delays in signing up.
“We are encouraging patients to sign up for health care insurance as soon as they have the chance,” said Mary Elizabeth Jackson, MA, Vice President of Group Governmental Affairs and Community Benefits for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “This year’s shortened Open Enrollment period means there is even less time to secure health care coverage for yourself and your family.
“Last year’s launch of the CHRISTUS Health Plan to residents of Cherokee, Smith and Wood Counties was very compelling to the people of Northeast Texas because it allowed patients to continue their care at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Jackson. “This year, early enrollment numbers look good. From Nov. 1 through Nov. 16, almost 300 people have signed up for CHRISTUS Health Plan. It is estimated 1.5 million are now on track to have coverage purchased through the web based health insurance marketplace, healthcare.gov, in 2018.”
“We are incredibly excited to be able to offer award-winning medical care to patients in Northeast Texas who obtain their family’s insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Chris Glenney, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Group Operations for CHRISTUS Health and Chief Executive Officer of CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas, which includes CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System. “However, the most important thing by far is that patients are able to obtain coverage during this Open Enrollment period. Our Mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, and first and foremost, we want patients to visit the Health Insurance Exchange to get the coverage they need.”
“Patients throughout Northeast Texas have made their voices heard,” said Steven Keuer, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System and President of CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. “They want access to the medical care and services on the leading edge of technology and best practices. They want to work together with distinguished health care providers to manage their health. They want to build a medical home with a team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and medical staff that they trust and value. And they want to do that at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System.”
“Everyone throughout the System is deeply passionate about providing nationally-recognized, faith-based care to the people of East Texas,” said Jackson. “We welcome patients to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, but our Mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Our focus is on making sure the people of East Texas are healthy, and we just want them to be covered.”
Local Man Arrested for Assault of Disabled Individual
Sulphur Springs Police responded to an assault on an autistic individual Saturday evening. EMS was called to treat the victim and a report was taken. The named assailant, Jerry Lynn Hicks, 29, of Sulphur Springs, was not present when police arrived. As the officers were clearing the first scene, they were called to a second location, an apartment in the 700 block of Wildcat Way. There they found Hicks.
Jerry Lynn Hicks
Hicks was read his rights and then admitted to assaulting and causing bodily injury to the disabled victim.
Hicks was arrested for Injury to Disabled Individual Family Violence, a felony 3.
Marijuana Purchased in Rockwall Ends in Arrest in Hopkins County for Local Man
A traffic stop at 11:16 p.m. Sunday, November 19th, resulted in the arrest of Lakenzie Taylor, Jr., 23, of Sulphur Springs. He was arrested for Possession of Marijuana more than 4oz but less than 5lbs, a State Jail Felony. He had purchased the marijuana for $1,000 earlier in the day in Rockwall.
Taylor was driving 2010 Ford Fusion with a defective license plate light when he was stopped on Highway 11W by a Hopkins County Deputy. The odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle as the deputy approached. When the deputy told Taylor that he could smell the marijuana, Taylor said it was located in the front passenger floorboard. The deputy found a white plastic sack with eight clear plastic bags containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana.
Taylor is in Hopkins County Jail.
No Dinner Bell November 22
There will be no Dinner Bell on Wednesday, November 22 as volunteers prepare Thanksgiving for their families. The Dinner Bell Ministry wishes everyone a Happy and Holy Thanksgiving.
Dinner Bell will resume serving on Wednesday, November 29.
Meal a Day Menu for November 20th-24th
Meal A Day Menu
November 20th – November 24th
Monday
Frito Chili Pie
Corn
Tossed Salad
Tuesday
Chicken Spectacular
Carrots
Pickled Beets
Wednesday
Turkey and Dressing
Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans
Cranberry Sauce
Roll
Thursday
Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday
Ham and Potato Casserole
Broccoli
Roll
Symphony League Auction: LIVE
The annual Symphony League Auction is happening tonight! Be sure to call (903)-885-0700 to bid on the many exciting items available! Watch live on Facebook, Channel 18, or view the list of items here. You don’t want to miss out on all the fun!
Saltillo Girls Varsity Tournament Brackets Set
Paris 50
Lady Cats Defeat Hugo to Go 3-0 on Season
The Lady Cats’ basketball team improved their season record to 3-0 with a 37-28 win over Hugo, Oklahoma Friday in Wildcats Gym. For the third straight game, the Lady Cats got off to a very strong start.
The Lady Cats scored opened with a 12 point run to lead 12-0 in the first quarter. They led 18-3 after one quarter. The Lady Cats were outscored 12-2 in the second quarter but still led 20-15 at the half. The Lady Cats outscored the Lady Buffs 8-4 in the third quarter to take a 28-19 led after three quarters. Both teams scored 9 fourth quarter points and the Lady Cats took a 37-28 win.
Kaylee Jefferson had another good game for the Lady Cats scoring 16 points. Sadavia Porter scored 9 points and Autumn Tanton had 7. Danielle Godbolt chipped in 3 points and Tarayla Kelley put in 2 points.
The Lady Cats play next Tuesday at Paris. It will be their last game before the Thanksgiving break.
Photo from 2016 Season
