Newhouse has fought for rural communities against federal encroachment for years | Opinion

Newhouse defends rural communities

I encourage you to not let Dan Newhouse’s single vote on impeachment weigh more than his daily contribution over the years leading the charge advocating for rural policy issues.

He voted his conscience. Have we not all done that a time or two?

Don’t throw one of the most effective U.S. representatives out with the dishwater. Listen to your conscience. Vote for who you know can best serve rural America.

As a conservative champion for rural communities at home and in Congress, Dan Newhouse has proved he has what it takes to get the job done right. This, unfortunately, is only achieved with tenure. It is just the way it is.

The Western Caucus, advocating for rural policy issues throughout the West and beyond, is a premiere organization in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Western Caucus membership is 113 U.S. Representatives. These are Rep. Newhouse’s peers. And, who is the elected chairman of the Western Caucus the past two years? It is Dan Newhouse. Among his peers, he has strong leadership skills and great respect.

Should we not think likewise when we have the opportunity? Vote for Dan Newhouse for U.S. House of Representatives.

John D. Miller, Goldendale

Medicaid reimbursement rate must rise

Our primary care workforce shortage and its impact on access to primary care is one of the most important issues facing healthcare today, and I greatly appreciate Dr. Mack Hinson’s op-ed discussing potential solutions.

To add to the discussion, access to physicians aside from primary care is equally important— think cancer or prenatal care. These are critical services that I and other family physicians refer our patients to on a daily basis. We’re increasingly finding it harder to find local specialists to provide those services in a timely fashion.

We must support both primary care and specialty care physicians so our patients can receive timely, whole-body care. One way to do so is by supporting the Medicaid Access Program in the 2025 legislative session. Washington state’s Medicaid reimbursements are some of the worst in the nation, especially for specialists, failing to cover the cost of care.

The Medicaid Access Program will raise Medicaid reimbursements to Medicare levels for all physicians from all specialties as well as for advance practitioners. Nearly a quarter of our state’s residents are on Medicaid. They deserve the same access to whole-body care as do patients with commercial insurance. Learn more about this solution at takeaction.wsma.org.

Dr. Katrina Rue, Kennewick

Vote for Harris is patriotic

A recent letter to the editor in the Tri-City Herald gives me cause to be concerned. In the letter, the writer states that Trump, Sessler and RFK “feel strongly about God and our country.”

If honesty, truthfulness and kindness are valued, how can the writer support individuals, especially Trump, who daily demonstrates through lies and attacks on anyone who does not support him? He, as well as his running mate Vance, makes up stories that are not true and with the intent to create division among us by creating anxiety, hatred and fear. His language promotes racism, misogyny and bigotry. He is a narcissist who cares only about money and power.

In contrast, Kamala Harris focuses on people and their needs — lowering grocery prices, improving health care benefits, boosting child tax credits, assisting home buyers and providing capital for small businesses.

Recently, former chairs of the Maine Republican party wrote an op-ed. They reiterated a speech by the former Georgia Republican lieutenant governor. “If you vote for Kamala Harris, you are not a Democrat, you’re a patriot.” The op-ed ended by saying “On Nov. 5, be a patriot”.

Vote for Kamala Harris!

Suzanne Feeney, Kennewick

Newhouse doesn’t deserve your vote

No one should hold their nose and vote for Dan Newhouse. Recently, Newhouse told Kellyanna Brooking, a high school student and reporter, in an interview on X that the nation’s debt would fall on her shoulders and her kids’ shoulders, yet he voted for a $95 billion spending bill while buying stock in defense contractor RTX, which benefits directly from the spending. This clear conflict of interest highlights a troubling pattern where Newhouse’s financial gain comes at the expense of American families.

Newhouse’s campaign is heavily funded by agribusiness and pharmaceutical companies — industries that benefit from policies contributing to the chronic illness epidemic in our country. The same companies that produce ultra-processed foods, linked to chronic diseases like diabetes, are also backed by Big Pharma, which profits from selling us the medications to treat the illnesses these foods create. This isn’t just a health issue — it’s a cycle of corporate profit at our expense, and Newhouse is at the center of it.

Newhouse is not the lesser of two evils. Look into your other options: write in Democratic candidate Cherissa Boyd or Republican candidate Jerrod Sessler.

Galen Greenwalt, Kennewick

Fix Medicaid’s payments for specialists

As a radiation oncologist, I understand the importance of a strong primary care team for cancer patients. This team plays a crucial role in early detection, managing comorbidities, and addressing the health needs that arise during and after cancer treatment, ensuring that patients receive holistic, compassionate care beyond their cancer diagnosis.

This collaborative approach between oncology and primary care significantly improves patient outcomes and quality of life.

I applaud Dr. Hinson’s solutions to primary care shortages and access to care in our state. Unfortunately they will come to naught if we don’t first support clinicians from all specialties with economically viable reimbursements, starting with our state’s Medicaid program.

One out of every four Washington residents is on Medicaid, and Washington’s Medicaid reimbursements are some of the worst in the nation, falling short of the cost of care and creating access problems for patients and frustration and burnout for physicians who cannot afford to see the number of Medicaid patients in their communities who need care.

Our Legislature can fix this by passing the Medicaid Access Program, which will raise reimbursements for clinicians from all specialties so they can afford to see more patients.

Dr. Sheila Rege, Pasco

Congress full of ‘do-nothing fakers’

The current Congress is the most obstructive, destructive, do-nothing group of conspiracy theorists, fakers, liars and dunces who are wrecking the House. It is easy to laugh at them individually, but as a group they are decidedly not funny. Their goals currently seem to be obstructing and they are opposed to everything, even themselves.

Republicans, instead of passing any legislation, have used Russian propaganda for their sham and wasteful impeachment efforts against Biden.

They must be stopped. I say throw the bums out and it is up to rebuild the conservative party by selecting a “loyal opposition” that believes in democracy and in working together to govern in a rather old-fashioned bipartisan and collegial effort.

I propose that, as a start, we act locally and consequently I ask fellow Democrats to vote for Rep. Dan Newhouse. He has a track record of long service to us in the 4th District and of working across the aisle.

I would also suggest, for a Republican, he is a reasonable, honest gentleman, and is a nice guy in spite of his conservative proclivities. We don’t want to elect the nutcase dingbat who is endorsed by the mad hatter.

Stan Moon, Richland

Sylvester work transformed it

Over the course of this summer, from Road 36 to Road 55, Pasco’s Sylvester Street has undergone a remarkable transformation

This heavily trafficked street was four lanes, had almost no shoulder and spotty sidewalks.

Now there are only two lanes, plus a center left-turn center lane, sidewalks on both sides, and a separated, seamless asphalt bikeway on the south edge.

I feel much more confident when driving at night, now that there is more than just two, narrow, center-line paint stripes to prevent head-on collisions.

The finished grade is almost without bumps. The bikeway is as smooth as it gets.

I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude to: the City of Pasco, the contractor and all the people who worked efficiently and effectively to make this happen.

I am proud to live in a city where the government so demonstrably serves its citizens.

Great job all. Thanks!

Michael Harrington, Pasco

Newhouse has right experience

With our lower Snake River dams being threatened by the Biden/Harris administration, our west side governor and his presumptive replacement (Bob) Ferguson, and our U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, we need to be very careful about who we vote for U.S. representative.

We can’t afford to trust our economic well-being and the clean, renewable energy that the dams provide to a rookie congressman with no clout. Dan Newhouse has been fighting our left-wing government on this issue and many others for a long time.

Now is not the time to weaken this effort. His Trump impeachment vote was of no consequence, and certainly doesn’t impact the Mid-Columbia.

Let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water!

Bob Cummings, West Richland

Isaacson focuses on her community

I became acquainted with Kari Isaacson, candidate for 16th District State Senate seat, through her work at Blue Mountain Community Foundation and Walla Walla Noon Rotary. Kari’s whole career focus has been finding the needs in the community and helping to alleviate those needs by raising funds and distributing them.

When people ask me to explain the difference between her and the incumbent, it is obvious to state that her focus is others. It takes some research to find the differences between what the incumbent says he supports and his voting record, but it is well worth it.

Kari’s life has been spent helping others, not claiming our natural resources for her own benefit and voting along strong party lines against the best interest of constituents. The future of our area is tied to the national movement of the Republican Party. (Can anyone show me daylight between Donald Trump and the local party?)

Kari will work in Olympia for the betterment of all of us. (Jan Corn, Campaign Chair Elect Kari Isaacson.)

Jan Corn, Walla Walla