March 15, 2025 Issue, Page 2 of 12

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NEWS 2• SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025 The Elk City News Lankford Introduces Legislation to Protect Rural Seniors’ Access to Care WASHINGTON, DC – Sen- legislation would reverse a legislation would also establish to shut their doors, depriving en nursing home members. providers.” ators James Lankford (R-OK) Biden-era nursing home staff- an advisory panel on nursing America’s seniors of care. My Quality care and staffing are Background: and Deb Fischer (R-NE) intro- ing rule that will harm facili- home staffing that includes legislation will reverse this tightly connected. However, On September 1, 2023, the duced the Protecting Rural Se- ties across rural America and voices from both urban and staffing rule and create solu- the federal minimum staff- Centers for Medicare and niors’ Access to Care Act. The could force many to close. The rural communities. The panel tions that will protect rural fa- ing rule for nursing homes, Medicaid Services (CMS) pro- would submit a report to Con- cilities,” said Fischer. while well-intentioned, will posed a rule that would man- gress that analyzes workforce “We thank Senators Fischer only exacerbate the current date new minimum staffing shortages and makes practical and Lankford for their leader- challenges that providers, par- standards for long-term care Misdemeanors Felonies recommendations to strength- en the workforce. ship in safeguarding seniors’ access to care by reintroducing ticularly those serving rural communities, must navigate: (LTC) facilities. According to CMS, 75 percent of nurs- “Oklahoma seniors, es- this bill. The Biden Admin- a shortage of qualified work- ing homes would have to in- MISDEMEANORS pecially in rural communi- istration’s staffing mandate ers and a highly competitive crease staffing to comply with State of Okla vs Emily A Thompson Trespassing State of Okla vs Michael N Ashley Obstructing an officer State of ties, deserve high quality, threatens to displace tens of labor market,” said Leadin- the proposed standards. This Okla vs Kecia E Byrd Possession of paraphernalia safe health care. Biden’s CMS thousands of nursing home gAge President and CEO Katie standard will be even harder State of Okla vs Christopher C Racelis Possession of parapher- proposed a one-size-fits-all residents in communities Smith Sloan. «The federal staff- to meet in rural areas, which nalia staffing mandate that has across the country. The con- ing mandate does not include already face historic staffing State of Okla vs Alisha N Bullcoming Possession of paraphernalia significantly threatened the cerns in Congress we’ve seen any funding to help pay for shortages. While CMS esti- State of Okla vs Mandy Reyes Possession of CS & paraphernalia ability for patients to receive on both sides of the aisle reaf- staff recruitment and training. mates that the cost for this State of Okla vs Jessica Riggs Unlawful possession of CS & para- post-acute care in rural com- firm what the profession has Without staff, there is no care; rule is $4 billion, LeadingAge, phernalia munities. My colleagues and been saying for years: these shortages force providers to the association for nonprofit State of Okla vs Troyce Thomas Tampering with utilities I are taking all available steps unrealistic standards will only make difficult choices, includ- providers of aging services, be- to stop the overreaching staff- force more nursing homes ing limiting admissions, taking lieves that the CMS proposed FELONIES ing mandate from CMS—they to downsize or close. There beds offline, or, worse yet, clos- budget is significantly under- State of Okla vs Darin Suit Embezzlement. Bogus check State of Okla vs Bryson Frost Kidnapping. Domestic assault & clearly have not adequately un- is a better way to support ing wings or even ceasing op- estimating real costs. Leadin- battery. Threatening an actof violence derstood the problems families our nation’s seniors, and we erations. Solutions to address gAge estimates that the rule’s and seniors are facing when look forward to working with longstanding workforce issues staffing requirements will cost finding care in rural Ameri- members of Congress on more in aging services are needed. providers nearly $7 billion in Marriages & Divorces ca,” said Lankford. “Nursing homes across the productive solutions to grow our workforce,” said American We commend Senators Fisch- er and Lankford for their lead- the first year alone. Senator Lankford intro- MARRIAGES country face historic staffing Health Care Association/Na- ership on the Protecting Rural duced the Congressional Re- Supaloet Wongpakdee, Corn – Mercedes Hampton, Custer shortages, and nowhere are tional Center for Assisted Liv- Seniors’ Access to Care Act to view Act (CRA) last year to City those challenges more real ing President and CEO Clifton stop implementation of this prohibit the Biden Adminis- Cody Page, Elk City- Jordan Estes, Elk City than in rural states like Ne- J. Porter II. unworkable staffing rule and tration from implementing braska. This mandate from “Ensuring access to quality also create an advisory panel to this ill-informed rule. Lank- the Biden administration is on care is a top priority for our tackle the ongoing workforce ford also sent a letter to CMS track to force many facilities nonprofit and mission-driv- shortages facing aging services pushing back against this rule. While father and son were an 531 months and 28 days,” the City and Western Oklahoma, PRINTING active part of the family busi- family wrote in their thank the Davis family will con- Continued from page 1 ness until their passing, and you post. tinue to be remembered as Kevin carried on until his re- They continued to talk a printing legacy. They have ing post said about the new cent retirement. about the many words of en- been an integral presence in company. “The Davis Family want to couragement that the com- the community, not only for The Davis family started express our deepest gratitude munity has expressed at the the quality products that were the company Nov. 10th, 1980, to each and every one of our announcement, “We will for- produced but for the care that by Kenneth Davis and Kevin loyal customers. You have ever cherish the memories they put in each product. The Davis. Karsen Davis joined placed your trust in us for 44 and relationships built over Davis Family demonstrated the family business in 1981. years, three months and 28 the years.” their love for their patrons and Kenneth passed away in 2007, days. You have played an in- As the new company estab- the community in and out of and Karsen followed in 2022. tegral role in our journey for lishes their presence in Elk the print shop. (USPS # 173-020) 580-225-3000 dation, it is a well-backed and ible athlete for eight years old. two tournaments they raised Is published once weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC 109 W. Broadway, Elk City, OK 73644-4736 EDUCATES funded genetic disease now. Those are things that weren’t over $10,000. Although Rodri- Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 Continued from page 1 This is why there have been im- always tied to cystic fibrosis,” guez does not see himself as a provements and progressions. Rodriguez said. public speaker, he thinks that POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 964, Elk City, OK 73648 “CF is a genetic and progres- He also talked about the life is about prioritizing things breeding ground for bacteria and sickness. The vest helps sive disease, throughout your Flowers family, who have been that are bigger than yourself, Sheryl Ponce, break that up and aids in its life, it gets progressively worse a mentor to them. Rodriguez and it’s okay to kind of be un- SUBSCRIPTIONS because you can’t cure it, and described the baseball tourna- comfortable in those moments Deliverd by mail: removal from the airways,” Ro- Sheryl Staff Writer Writer Ponce....Staff you can’t fight it. You are trying ment that the Flowers puts on to try and get something for the driguez said. $50/ Yearly Print Only Neva Neva Pyatt, Director Pyatt....Advertising The life expectancy of a per- to stay on top of it as best you and they have raised money for greater good. $60/ Yearly Print + Online $40/ Online Only ZadieAdvertising Director Eakins...Advertising Director son with CF used to be the 30s, can, and not let it get worse, the CF Foundation. He then The CF Slam basketball 40s, and 50s, but in the last but try to keep them out of the talked about the upcoming tournament will take place No refunds on subscriptions. Nancy Gina Jones, Karnowski.......................CSR hospital. That has let us take a basketball tournament for the on Saturday, May 24th, at the eight years there has been an [email protected] Tina Advertising Director Dobbs.........................Delivery outpouring of research and de- hold of his life and give him the foundation that he and Derisha Arrowhead Center. For more [email protected] velopment that people are now best opportunity we can. He’s host. information about entry or to (&1FODVVLÀHGV#JPDLOFRP Nancy Karnowski, living into their 60s. Rodriguez grown like crazy. He’s putting This will be the third annual sponsor the event call or text CSR said that with the CF Foun- on weight, and he’s an incred- tournament. During the past 580-799-1550. Providing comfort and support for End of Life choices Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual MEMBERSHIP the members and their guest members and their families to unlimited visits to the mu- and guests to unlimited vis- Continued from page 1 seum complex during their its to the museum complex resources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as lifetime. The guests must be during the year. The guests cancer or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the welcome to attend the meet- accompanied by the lifetime must be accompanied by the practical details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. ing. It is now time to become member. member. a member of WOHS. The Heritage Membership The Family Membership is For questions regarding hospice service or eligibilty, contact: There are several types of is $500 and entitles the mem- $35 and entitles the member WOHS memberships. The bers and their guests to un- and members of his/her im- Carrie Perry, RN - Administrator Lifetime Member is a $1000 limited visits to the museum mediate family to unlimited Holli Brittain, RN - MANAGER OF PATIENT CARE SERVICES donation that will be depos- complex during the year. The visits to the museum complex ited in a Trust Fund with the guests must be accompanied during the year. The member income used for WOHS proj- by the member. must accompany the family. SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS ARE: ects. This membership entitles The Pioneer Membership The final membership is an • Cancer • Failure to Thrive • End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) costs $100 and entitles the Individual Membership for • End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) • End Stage Amyotrophic $20 and entitles the member Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) • End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) NOTICE OF LATEST NAMES APPEARING unlimited visits to the muse- • End Stage Liver Disease • End Stage Renal Disease • AIDS/HIV AS OWNERS OF NEW UNCLAIMED PROPERTY um complex during the year. To join contact Cindy Wood • End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s at the Old Town Museum. Mail the dues to P.O. Box 542, Professional, Passionate Elk City, OK 73648. The president, Linda Long, Advance, Attentive ... and president-elect Dan Our Difference is Our Care Storm, along with member- LOOK IN NEXT WEEK’S ship chair, Cindy Wood, invite Have you ever considered becoming a NEWSPAPER FOR YOUR NAME everyone to become a part of hospice volunteer? Western Oklahoma history by More than a billion dollars is waiting for more than joining WOHS. Membership A fulfulling experience in the spirit of 8 million unclaimed properties and we need to giving and receiving. in the organization is import- return it now! ant to the future of preserving Take a few minutes next week to see if your name the rich history of the region is on our list in this newspaper, or check online at and recognizing those indi- viduals and events that make yourmoney.ok.gov Western Oklahoma great. The Western Oklahoma If you see your name, download the form at upclaim.ok.gov and email to unclaimed@ Historical Society was estab- treasurer.ok.gov. lished in 1967. The Society is active in the community by Our ser vice is completely f ree so don’t wait. We being a member of the Elk are here for you and want to reunite unclaimed proper ty that’s rightfully yours. City Chamber of Commerce. According to membership chairman Cindy Wood the UNCLAIMED PROPERTY DIVISION Locally owned & operated. Proudly serving 2025 membership drive has 9520 N. May Ave., Lower Level Carrie Perry, RN started, and it will run through central western Oklahoma since 2011. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 the month of March.