Potential new community services

County Commissioners will look into two new community improvement opportunities in the coming months. Although both concepts are only in the discussion stages, there could be great possibilities for citizens in Kimball County, and even surrounding areas, if they come to fruition.

During their most recent board meeting, Commissioner Daria Faden shared her initial findings concerning increasing services of the community shuttle bus. There is a possibility that the Kimball Shuttle may be able to cross county lines and possibly even state lines. There are plenty of hoops to jump through before that is even an option and the commissioners will be looking into working through them in the near future. The shuttle issue will be on the agenda of the Dec. 6 meeting for further discussion.

A discussion item on the Nov. 15 County Commissioners agenda was concerning the National Association of Counties (NACo) Prescription-Health-Dental Discount Program known as Live Healthy-U.S. Counties. That program is available to all county residents, not just employees, of counties that are part of NACo, such as Kimball County. According to NACo, the program, “provides relief to uninsured and underinsured Americans who face high prescription, health and dental costs.”

Savings for prescriptions within the program ranges between 24 to 75 percent with the average being 24%. The prescription discount card is free and accepted at more than 68,000 pharmacies nationwide.

The dental discount card may help counties save 15 to 50 percent on dental care and is accepted at over 110,000 providers. The cost is $6.95 per month or $69 per year for individuals or $8.95 a month and $79 a year for families.

Medical Services discount cards are available for the same price as dental cards.

Although the NACo Live Healthy Discount Program is not insurance, it can help alleviate costs associated with living a healthy life.

The Kimball County Commissioners will be looking into what they need to do in order to get Kimball County enrolled in the program. According to the NACo Live Healthy Discount Card Program website, it could take up to 10 weeks after enrollment before residents are able to sign up for their memberships.

“We are trying to help the people of Kimball,” said Faden in regards to both possible opportunities.