A real Public Servant announces his bid for office in Ingham Co.

Like it or not, Ingham County is not immune to the nation-wide financial crisis caused by the 7 year mis-management of the Bush doctrine, but that doesn't mean we can't fix it.

I've always thought that government was supposed to be about making life better for others, but have regretted that it doesn't actually happen as much as it should. It's why men and women like you and I step up and decide to become public servants. It's not an easy life and for those who actually serve the people as opposed to powerful special interests, it can often be a thankless one.

So when a real public servant steps up, it's exciting news that deserves recognition. True, I've known and respected this particular public servant since I was in high school when we both came to Lansing to learn what it meant to serve the people, but he deserves it all the same.

Curtis Hertel Jr. is currently an Ingham County Commissioner serving East Lansing. He's a regular working guy, trying to make a good life for himself, his wife, and their two young kids and has seen how hard it can be for some.

That's why he's running for Register of Deeds of Ingham County.

“The role of Register of Deeds in Ingham County is absolutely critical to ensuring the accessibility and security of Ingham County property records,” Hertel said. “In the 21st Century, these two issues are even more important, and I believe that my long experience as a county commissioner makes me an ideal candidate to continue to deliver essential services to the residents of Ingham County.”

While the position may be a bit foreign to some, it makes sense to have someone you can trust to look out for the safety and security of your personal property records. But that's not all. Hertel is also looking to expand the technology in the office for better accessibility and to promote financial literacy to Ingham County residents like you and I, and who couldn't use a little extra knowledge on that subject?

If you're interested in helping out the campaign, check out his website, donate, volunteer, and I look forward to seeing you out there knocking a few doors!

Healthcare in Ingham - On the Right Track

In Michigan everyone thinks Jobs is the No. 1 issue, particularly with this most recent election.
For most, it might be.
But if we get truly back to the basics, you realize that if you're not healthy, you can't work, much less find a job.
In continuing to focus on what is GREAT about Michigan, instead of the Dick DeVos Right's tactics of Doom and Gloom, I thought I'd take a look at the healthcare climate right here in Michigan's capital, Ingham County. I hope that our county can act as a progressive model for the rest of Michigan, all the while keeping Michigan GREAT!
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I've always said the best offense is a good defense.

Glad to see Ingham County is taking that to heart when it comes to county health care.

As mentioned last month by LLP-endorsed County Commissioner Curtis Hertel Jr., county residents now have a new health-benefits program for the uninsured. The Ingham Health Plan is designed for low-income residents who don't have health insurance. But, it is not actual health insurance, it's a health-benefits program. If it sounds confusing, you're not alone. I had to read it a couple times before I actually got it. Courtesy of Dr. Dean Siekno, Medical Director for the Ingham County Health Department.

The Ingham Health Plan offers benefits in primary care, specialty services, most outpatient laboratory and x-ray services, and pharmaceuticals under a restricted, yet reasonable formulary.

The program does not pay for inpatient hospitalization. Philosophically the IHP intends to use its resources to provide primary care services to a greater number of people; the intent is that access to primary care services for greater numbers of people will avert unnecessary emergency room visits and preventable hospitalizations.
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County officials estimate that less than 80 percent of young adults between 18 and 24 years of age have health insurance while almost 100 percent of adults over age 55 have coverage.

Income is another significant factor — less than 80 percent of persons with annual household incomes under $20,000 per year have health insurance while nearly 100 percent of those with incomes over $50,000 are covered.

The IHP has two benefit programs: Plan A and Plan B.

Plan A offers more robust benefits, but to qualify for Plan A a person can earn no more than a meager $285 per month.

For Plan B, a version with more modest benefits, a single person can qualify with an income slightly above $2,000 per month, while a family of four can qualify with an annual household income of about $50,000.

This is all part of the policy that the County Commission adopted to assure accessible healthcare as a top priority for all residents.

The program does have co-pays but these are generally only between $2-$10 depending on the service and the plan that each member is enrolled in.

Of course, as with any health benefits package, there are restrictions, but after looking them over, they seem relatively reasonable. I even had the opportunity (strictly by chance) to speak with someone enrolled with the IHP this weekend while I was getting my hair done, all of things. She was definitely happy to have some coverage, but had a couple complaints, mostly due to the lack of coverage for emergency room visits, but overall, grateful that county even offered the program.

I encourage you to check out all the details, read the fine print (there isn't much) ask questions, call the information line provided and see if this something for you or someone you know.

Ingham County Health Plan Information Page

While you're there, if you or someone you know are a small business owner in Ingham County looking to provide affordable healthcare for your employees, check out the Ingham County Advantage program.

Kudos to Ingham's Board of County Commissioners for doing their part to keep Mid-Michigan great and healthy, all the while keeping the cost to tax-payers reasonable. I hope to speak for others when I say I hope this by no means a stopping point, but rather an excellent point to continue to build up on.

*Hear what folks on the statewide (MichiganLiberal) and national scene have to say about the IHP (DailyKos). You might be surprised!*

Meet Your Elected Official - Ingham Co. Commissioner - Curtis Hertel Jr.

Part of what makes the Lansing area such a fantastic place to live and work is our local elected officials. Few people realize what a powerful impact our city council and county commission have on our day-to-day life. Even fewer know who actually dictates local governmental policy.
In order to change the tide, I'll be regularly bringing you profiles and interviews with some of these folks, another Liberal, Loud and Proud exclusive!!!

For our first installment, I'm pleased to bring you one of Ingham County's Commissioners, Curtis Hertel Jr., hailing from the 9th District (NE City of East Lansing, and NW Meridan Township).

Curtis has lived in East Lansing since 1996. Married to Amy, they have one son and are expecting another child in December. He received a Bachelors degree in Social Relations from the James Madison College of Michigan State University. Currently Curtis is the Legislative Liasion for the Department of Health.
On the Commission, Curtis serves as the Chair of the Human Services Committee, and also serves on the Finance Committee.

Curtis has been very active within the community, serving on many boards and has been spotted at many local charities and community events, pitching in a hand with the rest of us. Curtis knows that a little old fashioned elbow grease and perseverance is the way to get things done, and has always been known as a true servant of the people. Some of the groups he's worked with include:

• Capitol Area Health Alliance
  
• St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
• Great Lakes Folk Festival
  
• Ingham Health Plan Board of Directors
  
• SE Marble Neighborhood Association
  
• Maral Pro-Choice Michigan
  
• Michigan Association of Local Public Health
  
• Sierra Club
  

I recently had a chance to speak with Curtis, and he was kind enough to answer a couple questions solely for this LLP installment.

LL: What is it about Michigan, and your district that makes you want to serve the people?

CH: I believe in public service. I grew up in a household where I learned that public service was noble and government can still do good things. I am 28 years-old but I still have a very old-school opinion of politics. I believe loyalty and hard work are more important than clever answers and focus groups. Michigan has given me and my family at opportunity to serve them and in many ways big and small made us who we are.
I love serving my district because it is home. I went to school at Michigan State and met my wife there. My son was born at Sparrow Hospital. Who wouldn't want to live and serve in a place that felt like a small town community but still had access to MSU sports, cultural events and the Wharton center, and great ethnic food.

LL: What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome as an elected official over the past year?

CH: In many ways the biggest challenge has been in balancing being a good public official with also being a new dad to our son C.J. Serving the people takes time. County Commissioner is a part time job and my full time job as Legislative Liaison for the Department of Community Health also is time consuming. I probably on an average week work 60 hours, and that is not
including campaigning. I am lucky that I had a good role model in my father and a good partner in my wife Amy. Even when he was Speaker of the House my dad still found time for his children, and he had four of us. So Amy and I make it work. We have rules. We always have dinner together no matter what the schedule is. I try to always be there for bath time. I take CJ to the Potter Park Zoo, MSU to feed the ducks, or the science center every weekend.
Most nights CJ falls asleep on me while watching the Tigers. I am sure I am missing things, and public service is important to me but it is always a struggle.

LL: What's your biggest accomplishment since being elected to serve?

CH: My biggest accomplishment is increasing access to health care. Ingham County is now on our way to 100% access to basic preventative care by 2010. We will most likely be the first county to reach this important goal. I have led the fight to make access to care a priority in our budget process. There is nothing the County does that in the long run will have a greater effect on our community.

LL: What do you want to see changed in your next term?

CH: We are on a good track in Ingham County. The nice thing about having a 12-4 Democratic Majority is we have already set a progressive agenda. We have a Living Wage law to protect workers. We have a domestic partnership policy to give equal rights to our LGBT employees. We have made funding for access to health care and preventative programs a top priority. I want to continue to invest in these progressive ideals and work to make Ingham County a
positive place for people of all backgrounds. I want to increase protection of our farmland and green space. And if the voters agree on November 7th I look forward to taking over the running of Potter Park Zoo and continue to improve on this wonderful asset to our community.

LL: What's your take on the Internet political community like this blog?

CH: First off I like that it gives real people the power to comment on issues without being censured or spending thousands of dollars. Blogs can be very powerful in building networks of supporters and in energizing the base. The only thing we have to remember is the internet is a passive medium. People only find a blog or website if they are looking for information already. The internet cannot be used as a replacement for traditional politics. Knocking doors will always be the most important way of reaching voters. Television and direct mail will always be a better way to reach an unengaged public. As long as blogs are used in addition to these traditional ways of communicating they are very positive thing. I also would like to say we as elected officials need top thank bloggers. We read you, appreciate you hard work, and sometimes we post on your site anonymously.
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You can also read more about Curtis at the LSJ's Voters Guide.

Curtis has this girl's vote for multiple reasons, but I have been most impressed by his continued dedication to making sure the people of this county have great healthcare, and with as little financial burden as possible to the taxpayers.

If you’re poor or struggling, thank your lucky stars you live in Ingham County. Across the state, Ingham is looked to as a model of how to create positive relations between state government and private sector, as well as how local governments can help fill the increasing void created by welfare changes.

“We’re even filling more gaps than the state has intended,” says County Commissioner Curtis Hertel Jr. with a grin. For several years now, Hertel says he and his fellow commissioners have watched as welfare “reform” “…just pitched people out on the street. This isn’t reform at all. What we now have to do is make up for some of those gaps.”

As an example, Hertel points to the $12 million Ingham Health Plan. It may sound like supplemental insurance, but it isn’t. For those who can’t get medical coverage under Medicare, Medicaid or other programs, IHP provides basic preventive medical care at no or minimal cost to the client. IHP is funded entirely by general county funds and presently assists some 13,000 county residents to obtain basic medical coverage.

IHP was so successful that the commission recently created the Capital Area Prescription Program, or CAPP. “It’s something like a buying club,” describes Hertel. By enrolling large numbers of people without prescription coverage, the county can negotiate bulk contract for reduced treatment costs with local pharmacies. The pharmacies get a guaranteed increase in business, the clients get cheaper medicine, “…all at no cost to the county,” says Hertel. “Clever, huh?” (Lansing City Pulse 1/12/05)

Of course, that's just one reason out of many. You can see yourself, as Curtis has been endorsed by the following organizations.

• UAW
  
• MEA
• Greater Lansing Labor Council
• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Michigan Association of Police Organizations
• SEIU
• Lansing Association for Human Rights - given a Very Positive Rating
  

I could go on and on about Curtis and why Ingham County needs him for at least another term. Like all good representatives of the people, Curtis loves to hear from his constituents, and you can reach him at hertel2002@hotmail.com.
I am confident that Curtis Hertel Jr. is one of our rising stars, and I wish we had more candidates like him, a real public servant, dedicated to serving the people, particularly those that don't always have a voice from high-powered, big money special interest groups.
Vote November 7th!

~LL