HAPPY HOMECOMING Powers beats Gilchrist, B1
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2013
Serving Oregon’s South Coast Since 1878
Affordable Care Act
Insurance agents feel the burden Some agents reluctant to sign a contract with Cover Oregon
consists of an online, self-paced general overview about Cover Oregon, insurance exchanges and the ACA. It also has a full-day, in-person session that has technical instruction and portal training. While two of Ellingsen’s agents BY EMILY THORNTON have undergone training, he said he The World and other agents have been relucCOOS BAY — The Affordable tant to sign a contract with Cover Care Act is causing some signifi- Oregon for several reasons, even cant changes in the health insur- though the contract is the only way agents can work with Cover Oreance world. “We’re changing a whole lot of gon. One of the reasons Ellingsen and things,” said Ed Ellingsen, president and owner of Nasburg & others are reluctant is that the Company Insurance in Coos Bay. work involved to help consumers “It’s an enormous undertaking for could be pointless when consumers can begin going all of us.” through the portal themWhen Oregon’s health selves beginning midcare exchange begins October. That means that signups Oct. 1, specially a consumer could deal trained insurance agents directly with an insurance are going to be on the company without the front lines in the effort to help of agents like get uninsured individuals Ellingsen and his agents. and families enrolled in the new program. AFFORDABLE It could lead to agents Ellingsen said so far HEALTH CARE losing business even after they’ve worked hard for two agents at his compathe client, Ellingsen said. ny are certified through “Traditionally, we represent the Cover Oregon, the state’s exchange for managing the new health insurance company,” Ellingsen said. “Now, the company stays in a insurance program. Cover Oregon is in the process of relationship with Cover Oregon.” Another concern was whether training agents across the state to carry out the ACA’s enrollment his agency would be responsible should one of the insurance comprocess. Agents must have a valid Oregon panies go out of business. Ellingsen health license, carry adequate said agents could be held liable if a errors and omissions coverage and company went out of business. have no regulatory administrative actions against them. The training SEE INSURANCE | A12
Growlers Markets hop on the bandwagon BY CHELSEA DAVIS
on the agenda. “I don’t think it would be as extensive as having 40 different varieties on tap, but maybe eight NORTH BEND — Craft beer is to 10,” Pestana said. flowing on the South Coast. The South Coast is usually Ashworth’s Market owner Jim “behind the times,” Brown said, so Brown installed a growler station, he hopes growler stations will catch “Coastal Growlers,” in his store in on, especially with nearby microJune and his row of 40 taps is Ashworth’s Market sells growlers from breweries like Arch Rock Brewing quickly filling up, with 27 craft microbreweries around Oregon and cur- Company in Gold Beach and 7 Devbeers and one tap of Rogue Root rently has 27 mircrobrews on tap. ils Brewing Co. in Coos Bay. Beer. Growlers and growler stations’ “We put growlers in because popularity have spiked the last few they’re very popular over in Bend depending on the beer. years. Besides the growlers themand they’re getting very popular in “People can come in, buy difPortland,” he said. ferent growler containers, fill them selves being collectibles, Brown said you also don’t have the hassle Growlers were originally small up and leave as happy campers,” of bottles and cans scattered metal pails used at the turn of the said Lee Pestana, who sold Lan20th century to carry fresh beer glois Market to his son, Jacob, last around your home when you use a growler. Plus, he said, the beer home. It was said that as the caryear. “It’s like going to a bar and tastes best when it’s been poured bon dioxide escaped from the lid it the bartender just goes to the tap, directly from the keg into a chilled pours you a beer in a thermos and produced a growling sound, thus growler. the name. Today, growlers are 64- on you go.” “I believe they’ve grown popuLanglois Market, which sits on ounce glass or metal jugs; their 32lar because they have a better flaU.S. Highway 101 south of Banounce counterparts have been don, could be the next coastal stop vor in their beer,” he said of craft dubbed “growlettes.” At Ashto install growler taps. Pestana worth’s, it costs anywhere from said installing a growler station is SEE GROWLERS | A12 $7.50 to $15.50 to fill a growler, The World
Man arrested with shotgun inside Myrtle Point home The World
INSIDE
COOS BAY — Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 55-year-old man at gunpoint Wednesday on multiple felony charges, after they say he broke into a Myrtle Point home armed with a short-barreled shotgun. Donald L. Freeman, 55, is charged with four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and felony probation violation. Possible drug charges are also
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pending. According to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Freeman was arrested after law enforcement got a report of a restraining order violation in progress at 13505 Sitkum Lane. Deputies found him hiding with the shotgun in an attic crawl space. Donald Freeman Sgt. Pat Downing said the elevated burglary charge stems from the fact that Freeman entered the home and remained there unlawful-
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DEATHS
BY THOMAS MORIARTY
ly with the intent to commit a crime. Downing said the firearms possession charges were enough to trigger the burglary charge. The National Firearms Act of 1934 makes it a federal crime to possess a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches long without registration and the payment of a $200 transfer tax. Downing said prosecution of the shotgun possession charge will be handled at the state level. Reporter Thomas Moriarty can be reached at 541-269-1222, ext. 240, or by email at thomas.moriarty@theworldlink.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ThomasDMoriarty.
Velma Chastain, Bandon James Rowe, North Bend Harold Wrigley, Coquille Thomas Brown, Brookings Jane Ehrman, Reedsport Robert Bond, Reedsport
Size of business to determine impact BY EMILY THORNTON The World
COOS BAY — If you are a business owner, the Affordable Care Act is going to impact you. But by how much will be a matter of the size of your business. If you’re a large company, defined by the Internal Revenue Service as employing 50 or more people, you’ll be required to provide health insurance under the law beginning in 2015. If you employ fewer than 50 people, you can opt out and not offer health insurance. But there are tax advantages if you do. The requirement to provide insurance under the Affordable Care Act goes into effect Jan. 1, 2014. All businesses may shop for insurance through agents beginning Oct. 1, 2013. The portal will be available mid-October. But, representatives for Cover Oregon advised businesses should use agents rather than shop online. “Businesses with more than 50 employees, who are eligible for large group plans, can continue receiving insurance from carriers directly, outside of Cover Oregon,”
Martha Yee, Winchester Bay Homer Oldham, Coos Bay Thomas Kyelberg, North Bend Beverly Brewster, Myrtle Point Robert Brewster, Myrtle Point
Obituaries | A6
FORECAST
Photos by Alysha Beck, The World
Twenty-seven microbrews are on tap at Coastal Growlers, a new growler station inside Ashworth’s Market in North Bend.
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said Michael Cox, spokesman for Cover Oregon. Cox suggested large employers find agents at http://bit.ly/ORHealth-Ins. Employers with 50 to 100 employees can shop on Cover Oregon in October 2015. They must have insurance by Jan. 1, 2016. The penalty for those with more than 50 employees depends on the number of full-time employees (30 or more hours per week) who weren’t offered affordable health insurance. Employers must communicate with employees about their health coverage options by Oct. 1. This notice must go to anyone, regardless of plan enrollment status or part- or full-time status. Employers with fewer than 25 employees that use Cover Oregon are eligible for tax credits up to 50 percent of premium costs. But, employers must cover at least 50 percent of the cost of coverage and pay average annual wages below $50,000. Coveroregon.com has a calculator for business owners to determine their possible tax credits. For more information on tax credit, visit http://bit.ly/SmBizACA
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