Pay attention to what Missouri Attorney General candidates are telling us

Three Missouri Attorney General candidates participated in a Springfield town hall on May 21.

Andrew Bailey began serving as Attorney General in January 2023 upon appointment by Governor Parson.  He comes across as a pugnacious fellow whose approach to problem solving features a lot of fighting and winning.

As an attorney representing Donald Trump, Will Scharf seems to be auditioning for a role in the Trump administration.

Elad Gross is a civil rights attorney who believes in small government, stressing enforcement of existing laws over making government larger and more intrusive in people’s lives. Gross is the only candidate who has published comprehensive plans for the Attorney General’s office.

Focusing on some of the town hall questions, Missouri voters care about campaign financing, gun safety, and elections.

On campaign contributions, the phrasing of the question allowed Scharf to state he wouldn’t take money from lobbyists, but to avoid mentioning that his campaign accepts contributions from PACs. Bailey’s Liberty and Justice PAC has received large contributions from billionaire donors. Gross takes no money from corporate PACs or lobbyists. 

Concerning responsible gun safety measures, Bailey and Scharf chose to answer the question by proclaiming their support for the Second Amendment. Gross stated the Attorney General’s office has a role in prosecuting those responsible for gun violence using existing laws and preventing violence before it happens.

Scharf and Bailey proclaimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen. Bailey opined that elections in Iraq during his service there were freer and fairer than those run by local election officials in this country. What an insult to local election officials! Gross answered the question with a monosyllabic “no.”

Do the people of Missouri want an elected spreader of disinformation as Attorney General?

Carol Elliott, Columbia

Empowering older adults in the fight against elder abuse

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, signifies our collective struggle against the mistreatment of older adults. Elder abuse is not only an individual problem; it’s a community and societal issue that reminds us to promote respect and dignity for older adults.

Elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or a trusted individual that cause harm to an older adult. It can come in the form of physical, emotional, neglect, and financial mistreatment – the latter being the most prevalent and easily executed through scams or fraud targeted at older adults. It’s a critical public health issue that can cause significant physical and psychological harm to older adults. A significant step towards preventing this abuse is equipping older adults and their caregivers with knowledge and resources to help prevent abuse.

The National Council on Aging estimates that approximately 5 million older adults are abused every year in the United States. This figure is both alarming and disheartening, considering it is said that only one in 14 cases is reported. Research findings estimate that older victims of financial fraud lose roughly $30 billion a year.

For older adults, defending against such abuse begins with awareness. Identifying potential frauds and cons such as lottery scams, identity theft, or email phishing schemes is crucial. Older people should be wary of unsolicited calls and emails, particularly those requesting personal information, money transfers, or unusual payment methods such as gift cards and any of these requests that are communicated with extreme urgency. Awareness training programs about these fraud methods can significantly enhance older adults’ ability to discern genuine transactions from scams.

The use of technology can also help people safeguard their financial assets. Enabling bank alerts for large transactions, using apps with real-time tracking of account activity, and setting up direct deposits for checks can minimize potential abuse. Equally pivotal is safeguarding essential documents and updating estate planning documents regularly.

The role of strong social networks in helping to prevent elder abuse can’t be overstated. Staying connected with family, friends, and community can deter potential abusers. However, social isolation became a growing issue for many older adults, especially during the pandemic. It’s crucial for all people across our lifespan to leverage technology to maintain relationships and stay active within our communities, reducing the risk of exploitation significantly.

Further, older adults must also feel informed and supported to report any instance of potential abuse. Fear or embarrassment can often deter individuals from reporting abuse. Support from community, family, and authorities is key to reassuring older adults that they’re not alone and that reporting is indeed a step towards prevention.

To report elder abuse, older adults or individuals concerned about them can reach out to the following resources:

• Adult Protective Services (APS): APS agencies serve as the primary agency responsible for receiving and investigating reports of elder abuse. You can locate your local APS office through the National Adult Protective Services Association’s website.
• Local Law Enforcement: In situations where an older adult is in immediate danger, contacting local law enforcement such as police or sheriff’s department is vital.
• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): This is a resource for information on elder abuse prevention. They can provide contacts and resources, including state reporting numbers, to assist.
• ElderCare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, the ElderCare Locator connects you to services for older adults and their families. They can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: These are advocates for residents of nursing homes, board, and care homes, assisted living facilities, etc. They can provide information about how to find a facility and services and what to do to get quality care and support.

It is important to know that one can remain anonymous when reporting abuse, and most of the mentioned agencies are equipped to provide help even when the abuse has occurred in the past.

With a collaborative strategy in place, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield works in tandem with healthcare providers to detect early signs of elder abuse. We have taken great strides to implement caregiver education programs, because in many cases, the caregivers are the first line of defense in recognizing indicators of abuse. We are not just advocating prevention, but actively invested in providing solutions to help prevent elder abuse.

Our health plans are designed to support older adults by addressing the social drivers that can impact health, including social isolation – a significant risk factor for elder abuse. Our community members benefit from the resources and support services beyond traditional healthcare services that our plans can provide, including, for example, access to nutritious meals, safe and stable housing, and transportation. We continue to partner with organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies, aiming to create a safer, more supportive society where older adults are valued and included, and their rights are protected.

Older adults are valuable members of our society, and it is important we help ensure their safety, security, and wellness. As we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us commit not only to raise awareness but also to actively work towards prevention strategies. Providing older adults with the essential knowledge and resources to help prevent abuse is a significant first step in this direction. Every step taken to protect citizens from abuse is a step towards a more caring and compassionate society.

Eugene Hsu, MD, MBA, is Senior Medicare Clinical Officer for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Ben McLaughlin and Hudson White each hit two home runs and Arkansas beat Southeast Missouri State 17-9 on Friday in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional.

The Razorbacks (44-14) will move on to play Kansas State or Louisiana Tech in a winner’s bracket game. Southeast Missouri State (34-26) will face the Kansas State-Louisiana Tech loser in an elimination game.

McLaughlin’s three-run homer stretched Arkansas’ lead to 8-0 in the second. SEMO scored four runs in the third and fifth to tie it. The Razorbacks answered with homers from Wehiwa Aloy and Kendall Diggs in the bottom half of the fifth. McLaughlin hit a three-run home run in the seventh, and White homered to left center to score three runs in the eighth. He also went deep for one run in the first inning.

McLaughlin was 3 for 5 and finished with six RBI. White was 2 for 4 with 5 RBI and scored three runs.

Ben Palmer and Josh Cameron combined for seven RBIs for SEMO.

___

AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

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Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) – On Friday, attorneys for Dana Miller, clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives, filed a lawsuit against Speaker of the House Rep. Dean Plocher, his chief of staff, and former speaker Rod Jetton, and the House of Representatives.

The suit stems from alleged retaliation to which Miller was subjected following her opposition to Plocher’s plan to award a state contract for new constituent management services.

“Exactly a year ago yesterday, I found myself facing the biggest challenge of my career when I refused to support awarding a contract for constituent management services for a number of legal and ethical reasons,” Miller said. “I also became aware of wrongdoing that was occurring within the highest levels of House leadership. I then did my duty as Clerk of the House to report the matters.”

Miller alleged other instances of concerning behavior from Plocher, including an instance where he repeatedly referred to “stupid Republican women” as “an invasive species.”

The suit claims Miller put her concerns aside, believing that the House Ethics Committee was the appropriate venue for such matter to be addressed.

After months of investigation by the House Ethics Committee, the panel ultimately voted to dismiss Miller’s complaint, despite strong objection from Republican Ethics Committee chair Hannah Kelley, R-Mountain Grove.

“What I have discovered is that the very mechanism that is designed to find the truth has failed,” Miller said. “You have heard the chair and vice chair speak of obstruction that limited their ability to complete a full and thorough investigation.”

After the complaint was dismissed on April 29, Plocher, flanked by dozens of House Republicans, claimed victory.

“From the outset of this investigation, I’ve maintained my innocence,” Plocher told reporters after the hearing. “The Ethics Committee has finally reached the very same conclusion that I offered everybody back in November, and they vindicated me.”

Miller claims what Plocher called “vindication” was actually an abandonment of a system of accountability based on “good faith.”

Miller also claimed that a toxic environment remains in the House even after the end of the legislative session.

“Where House of Representatives staff live in fear of retaliation, whether that be administrative staff, caucus staff, or those who cooperated with the House Ethics Committee for simply doing their duty of reporting wrongdoing, testifying truthfully and seeking to ensure that our government is run with the honesty and integrity with which it was designed We are better than this.”

Plocher’s office did not immediately respond to the bureau’s request for comment. Plocher is currently running for Secretary of State.

The Missouri House of Representatives Communications Office said, per policy, it doesn’t provide a comment related to ongoing litigation.

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Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.