New Family Medicine Doctor Has Area Connections; He Arrives This Summer
Dr. Robert Cooper will be joining the Hopkins County Memorial community this summer. Dr. Cooper, a graduate of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine, will practice family medicine locally. Dr. Cooper chose Sulphur Springs based on his connection to the Northeast Texas area. He was recently featured in an article published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
In October, Dr. Cooper’s father, Blake Cooper, was named Superintendent of Commerce ISD. He begins his new work in January. Blake Cooper had been an assistant superintendent at Kaufman ISD and principal at Edgewood High School prior to that. Superintendent Cooper was a teacher/coach at Winnsboro, Garland, Sulphur Springs, and Sheldon and also an instructor coach at East Texas State University.
Dr. Cooper, a graduate of Edgewood High School, graduated Tech’s medical school in three years. As a member of the inaugural class of the Family Medicine Accelerated Track program at Tech, he has already begun his residency one year sooner and received a scholarship for at least one year of medical school. The accelerated program encourages students to enter family medicine in a move to increase the number of primary care physicians in Texas.
For Cooper, the move into family medicine had been his target for medical practice long before entering med school. While in high school, he began observing Dr. Brent Wade, then a family physician in Winnsboro. Although Dr. Wade now practices in Tyler, he has continued to encourage, guide, and mentor Cooper. Dr. Cooper has already agreed to practice family medicine in Sulphur Springs after his training in Family Residency Program at Tech’s Amarillo Health Sciences Center.
Although completing his degree in three years, through the accelerated program he has had more curriculum hours than the required hours for a four year student. During his third year, Dr. Cooper did complete rotations in internal medicine, OB/Gyn, psychiatry, surgery, and pediatrics, courses usually covered in the fourth year of med school. Those in the Tech program complete residency at sites in Lubbock, Amarillo, and the Permian Basin in West Texas.
School Holidays Ahead; Early Dismissal, Return Dates
Most schools in the area are getting a jump on the holiday. All but one school in the Hopkins County area will dismiss early for the holidays. Two schools will dismiss early today and Friday. Here is a list of area schools and their schedule:
All students and staff in the Sulphur Springs ISD will be released an hour early on Friday, December 18th for the Christmas Holidays. Buses will also run one hour ahead of their regular schedule. The district asks that parents, “Please make this adjustment to your family schedule for the afternoon of Friday, December 18th.” Students will return January 5th. Teachers have a preparation day, January 4th.
Cumby Schools will not dismiss early Friday but will observe the holidays until January 4th, when students return to class.
Miller Grove Schools will dismiss at noon Friday. Students return January 5th.
Yantis Schools dismiss at 1 p.m. Friday. Students return January 4th.
Saltillo Schools dismiss at 1:30 p.m. Friday. Students return January 4th.
Como Pickton Schools dismiss at noon Friday. Students return January 5th.
North Hopkins Schools dismiss at 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Students return to class January 5th.
Sulphur Bluff Schools dismiss at 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday with students returning to class January 5th.
“Rescue the Perishing” Food Giveaway at Mitchel Chapel Church
Bishop Nelson Gatlin, pastor of Mitchell Chapel Church of God in Christ
Pastoral leadership provides many avenues of service for Bishop Nelson Gatlin, Pastor of Mitchell Chapel Church of God in Christ. The congregation of Mitchell Chapel will sponsor a food giveaway as their pastor leads his church to influence service in many other Northeast Texas churches.
The “Rescue the Perishing” Food Giveaway, sponsored annually by the congregation of Mitchell Chapel Church of God in Christ, will take place on Saturday December 19 at the church, 402 South Jackson Street. One hundred bags of food will be distributed to individuals who come that morning, while supplies last. You are asked to present an ID and proof of local residence with a utility bill. One bag per household, please.
Serving as Pastor of Mitchell Chapel for 18 years, Nelson Gatlin also served as a Jurisdictional Elder, presiding over seven churches. In 2015, Gatlin was elected Bishop of the N E Texas Jurisdiction, he now presides over 64 churches. Plans are being made to re-locate the Jurisdictional headquarters to Sulphur Springs in 2016.
SSISD Foundation Grant Awarded to 3D Global Design
SSISD Education Foundation Board members Gena Prickette, left, and John Campbell, right, with SSHS Art Teacher Dr. Phillip Dick.
Wednesday December 16th, Sulphur Springs High School Art Class received a $2,450 grant from the SSISD Education Foundation. The grant will assist the 3D Global Design Community with 3D print, assemble, and modify prosthetics (3D designs) in the Art classes of Dr. Philip Dick.
Crews Begin Demolition of Former Jail
With the new Hopkins County Jail now completed, demolition began yesterday on the former Hopkins County Jail. Lloyd D. Nabors Demolition and A & R Rent-A-Fence have both been hired for the demolition. Only smaller crews are being employed for the project.
Memorial Hospital/Clinic Not in Blue Cross Blue Shield Advantage Care HMO Network
Tuesday, December 15 was the deadline to enroll at HealthCare.gov. Wednesday morning, an extension was given until December 17 to sign up under the Affordable Health Care Act. In Texas, the plan or plans available to those using the National Health Care program are limited according to zip code. In Sulphur Springs and most of Northeast Texas, your choice for government subsidized health care is limited to Blue Cross Blue Shield Advantage Care and a plan offered by Humana. However, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital has been waiting for Blue Cross Blue Shield to provide a contract for review. Therefore, at the first of the year, the BCBS Advantage Care plan will not include either the hospital or the clinic in their approved provider list. A contract is in place with Humana. This will send those whose insurance is provided under the Affordable Health Care Act, written by Blue Cross Blue Shield, to seek services outside the county. Local BCBS Advantage Care customers are not alone.
For those who are enrolling in health care after 2010, only a HMO policy can be purchased by an individual or family. A PPO, an insurance plan that allows for the person to choose their medical provider/doctor, is available only to those whose insurance is provided by an employer. An HMO means the insurance designates which doctors/medical providers you are able to visit without additional personal cost. Those individuals utilizing Medicare Part F with Blue Cross Blue Shield, along with Medicare Parts A & B are not affected. Also, those with a Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO through work or a personal policy outside the National Health Care plan will not be affected. Any other BCBS plan will also be accepted.
Regionally, Hopkins County Memorial Hospital and Memorial Clinic and Trinity-Mother Francis will not be included on the Advantage Health Care HMO list. Most who are receiving insurance through the National Health Care plan are being referred to a doctor in Commerce, two doctors in Mt Vernon, a doctor in Pittsburgh, and other out of town doctors. Referrals to specialists are also limited in the plan. In one area of Texas, those on the national health plan are driving 120 miles or more to access specialists.
Sherry Moore, Marketing Director for Memorial, told KSST News that the local hospital places a high priority on patient care. That care is on three levels—physician, ER physician, and hospital. On October 30th of this year, a BCBS HMO Blue Advantage Hospital contract was requested for review or evaluation. Again, all other BCBS plans may be used at the hospital without penalty. Moore had been awaiting the contract that was promised her by BCBS divisional administration. However, at 3:03 p.m. today (Wednesday December 16th), she sent a text saying the contract was just received and would be reviewed. Moore stated that even if acceptable it will not go into affect before the first of year. She said that after local approval there would be at least a 30 to 60 day before BCBS could implement the agreement. Moore says Memorial Hospital will continue to work with Blue Cross in hopes of achieving a satisfactory outcome.
The BCBS HMO Blue Advantage Physician contract was reviewed locally some time ago and the proposed payments do not cover the cost of providing the care. The physician contract with BSBC has been rejected. Based on business principles, lack of covering the cost eventually creates such losses that the business cannot continue as in this case proper medical care. The insurance contract sets limits regarding what the company will pay for specific services. Those amounts are often well below billable prices. In this case, the amounts have been deemed below adequate operational pricing. Moore pointed out that Memorial Hospital and Clinic both want to be good stewards of the Hospital District’s resources and would fail in that effort if they signed the agreement as proposed. Moore says attempts continue to reach an agreement the clinic can accept.
Currently, Trinity Clinic of Tyler, the physician group that staffs Memorial’s Emergency Room, does not participate in the BCBS Blue Advantage Plan. If Memorial does participate in the plan, then individuals with the Advantage Care plan seeking care would be out of network and without benefits for the physician portion of the Emergency Room visit.
A partnership between the local hospital and CHRISTUS, which is pending final approval set for some time in January, will not necessarily answer the problem either. Regarding insurance contracts, representatives of CHRISTUS told KSST News, “These are the kinds of things addressed in the due diligence process, so we wouldn’t have a final answer until that process is complete. In general, CHRISTUS Health negotiates with insurance companies with the best interests of its patients and its providers, including its hospitals and physicians, in mind.”
This is a troubling situation for National Health Care insurance agents as well. Mark Spencer, an insurance agent, told KSST News that only two plans are available because United Health Care no longer offers coverage in Texas and a number of other states due to losses sustained last year. He stated that although insurance companies were assured a 20% profit, meaning they had to spend 80% in costs and services, there was no way to measure expenses to the company as they paid out claims. Most companies took a “cost bath” this past year. That means, according to Spencer, that most insurance providers have increased costs 25% this year.
The cost to insurance companies has caused United Health Care to pull out of Texas with the exception of two counties where contracts are in place. They will probably no longer offer coverage in those counties for 2017. Cost to insurance companies has also caused the oldest insurance company in the nation to step out of health care in September of this year, according to Spencer.
Even with the increase of premiums, costs are not guaranteed for insurance companies. Spencer said this is not a one-size-fits-all nation of people and a one-size-fits-all insurance does not work. Health care needs vary with the individual. Spencer, noting his age and gender, said he did not need maternity coverage but that it is required in the national health care guidelines. Maternity, pre-existing conditions, no limit cap for medical costs, and seven other essentials are mandated for all policies in the national plan. These drive the cost of insurance to the individual higher. Higher costs to individuals often cause the choice of a higher deductible for the individual. Spencer said the cost of most individual plans, even outside the national plan has doubled and tripled deductibles. For a family of two or more, the current average deductible is $13,700.
The only option for insurance plans for individuals and families is either an HMO or an EPO. An HMO is a network of providers where rates that will be paid by the insurance company to the provider have been contracted. Outside that network, the costs of medical care increase or will not be paid by the insurance company. An EPO is an expanded provider network that allows services by providers in a wider area within the state.
KSST will be following the progress of contract negotiations between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Memorial Hospital.
25th Annual MLK Awards Ceremony Set
![mlk[1]](https://www.ksstradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mlk1.jpg)
On Monday, January 18, 2016, 7 pm, The East Caney Missionary Baptist Church and Hopkins County African American Leadership Conference will present the 25th Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Ceremony. Our keynote speaker will be The Honorable Judge Morris Overstreet, former judge, Texas Criminal Appellate Court. Dr. Dan Jones, President/CEO of Texas A&M-Commerce will once again serve as master of ceremony. The program will be held at the Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 208 Fuller Street. The public is invited to this free event. We will have refreshments after the program provide by Alliance Bank and Wal Mart.
Program personalities include: Tom Sellers, Dr. Dan Jones, Representative Dan Flynn, Judge Robert Newsome, W.C. Pryor, and Pastor H.B. Nash. Cordell and Jackie Jackson, co-chair the ceremony committe. Dr. M. LaVelle Hendricks, is President and committe members are Yvonne Thornton and W. C. Pryor.
Those receiving awards include:
The 2016 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award Recipients:
Spiritual Liz Barrett
Freedom Award Clyde Alexander
Spirit of Loyalty Lucinda Harris and Carmen Timmons
Spirit of Dependability Elaine Harrison
Social Change Jerrika Dabbs -Wilkins
Mother of the Year Della Cleveland
Father of the Year Cordell Jackson
Legacy of King Ricky Godbolt
Spirit of Service Rhonda Porter
Spirit of Fellowship William “Bill” Simmons
Achievement Awards
Curtis Peoples, Bodie Sims, Clarine Moore, Gloria Franklin, Betty Hall Dial, Nikki Simmons, Monica Goodson, Selena Givens, Merita Wade, Melaunda Person
King’s Kids Denise Wright-King
Choice of Excellence Johanna Clayton and Zach Spigner
Youth of the Year Mel Roy Givens and Jatavion Hall
Family of the Year Roy and Yvonne King
Music Jo Ann Johnson
Church of the Year East Caney Missionary Baptist Church
Political Award Judge Eddie Northcutt
Encouragement Lisa Reed
Evangelism Award Ernest Gassaway
Faithfulness Parcel Lewis
MLK Media Don Julian
Commitment Award Trelanudra Duffey
Employer of The Year V F Outlet
Employees of the Year: Consuelo Lewis Neal and Mary Taylor-Jackson
Law Enforcement Jason Ames, Amanda Weatherford, Tyler Fransis
Spirit of Dedication Ryan Harrison
Pastor of The Year Pastor Mack Barrett, Sr.
Spirit of Commitment Deacon Dewayne Harris and Mary Jackson Taylor
Fraternity of The Year Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
Sorority of The Year Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
MLK Man of the Year Deacon Wilbert Roland
MLK Woman of the Year Demetra Robinson
MLK STUDENTS OF THE YEAR (SSISD)
Hannah Wall, Von’tese Johnson, Cory Bennett, Xavier Cork, Khalob Wilkins,
Kaidence Johnson, Kevin Byrd, Acie Simmons, Hitomi Simmons
MLK STUDENTS OF THE YEAR (Texas A&M-Commerce)
Taryn Driver, Jametrya Walker, Gabrielle Vaughn
MLK TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Kassie Smith, Kati Adair, Alison Thompson, Holly Thompson, Karen Anderson, Kim Gillem, Tim Thomas, Laura Smith, James Eilts, Lane Doughtie, Stephanie Garner, Elizabeth Moss, and Jennifer Roberts
MLK HALL OF FAME
Joyce Moore, Sarah Edwards, Clarine Moore, Dwight Clayton, David Miller, Walmart, Joyce Young
December 31 is Nomination Deadline for Hopkins County Chamber Banquet Awards
The deadline for nominations for various awards given out at the annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Banquet is rapidly approaching. For many of the awards, the deadline is December 31.
The Chamber is seeking nominations for Educator of the Year. Educator of the year awards are given to a professional, para-professional, and auxiliary worker in Hopkins County schools. This includes anyone who works in the school system. A large number of nominations have been made in past years. Forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office or provide in writing the school, grade they work with, and the contact information of the one making the nomination so that the award winner will be present for the banquet.
Large and Small Business of the Year is also an award given by the Chamber. The Chamber office will provide a form for nominating a business.
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 18, 2016). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
Citizen of the Year—Echo Publishing Company—P.O. Box 598, SS, TX 75483
Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 145 Brashear, TX 75420
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—P.O. Box 347, SS, TX 75483
Agriculturist of the Year—Professional Ag Workers—c/o AgriLife Extenson, P.O. Box 518, SS TX 75483
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above mentioned address.
Starbucks Sign Vote Postponed; Lack of Quorum For ZBA Tuesday
A lack of a quorum postponed the Sulphur Springs Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting that would have considered a variance to the city sign ordinance for property located at 1320 South Broadway. This is the second recent ZBA meeting postponed due to a lack of members attending, according to sources. The board of adjustments and appeals had one member resign last month and two members were unable to attend the meeting set for Tuesday, December 15. The board must have four favorable votes to approve a variance to ordinances. City Manager Marc Maxwell said the city council will appoint additional members and alternates soon.
The request was being made to increase the height and size of a proposed sign. The sign ordinance states that the sign at this location can only be 24 feet tall. The postponed request seeks an 85 feet sign. The hardship noted is a lack of visibility from the interstate. Starbucks could come to Sulphur Springs if the variance is approved.
N3 Realty in Southlake has requested the variance. The location of the sign and Starbucks would be the lot next to Chili’s on South Broadway. City Staff recommends approval for the variance on two conditions. The first condition is that the site be platted. It is not a currently approved lot. The second condition is that a building permit be issued prior to permitting the sign.
Nine letters were sent to property owners within 200 feet of the property and no responses either in favor of or in opposition to have been received.
Hopkins County Seeks Grant For Courthouse Roof Repair
Monday morning the Hopkins County Commissioners Court agreed to pursue a $250,000 grant from the Texas Historical Commission to fix the hail-damaged roof on the County Courthouse and to reinstall some leaky windows that were not put in correctly during restoration in 2003. The county will have to match the grant amount.
County Judge Robert Newsom said the county has tried to secure the grant before but failed. He thinks Hopkins County has a better chance this year. Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker is leading the effort and letters are being sent to state representatives seeking their assistance.
Newsom said he and a contractor had been to the top of the courthouse roof to survey the damage. Spring storms with hail and high winds have created a serious situation for the roof. The grant will cover only one half of the cost. He said the county would find a way to match the grant.
