Opinion

Medicare fraud should be next in line for DOGE

GUEST COLUMN, Sally C. Pipes, Thomas W. Smith Fellow in Health Care Policy

The Department of Government Efficiency's crackdown on waste, fraud, and abuse is off to a fast start. But as an engine of government savings, DOGE still has substantial untapped potential.

That's because it hasn't yet addressed the fraud crippling one of the federal government's largest programs: Medicare. In fiscal year 2023 alone, "improper payments" in Medicare eclipsed $50 billion.

If DOGE wants to put a real dent in government overspending while changing millions of Americans' lives for the better, it won't find a better target than Medicare fraud.

Hope springs eternal

GUEST COLUMN, Kim Baldwin, Kansas Farm Bureau

There have been noticeable signs that spring has arrived on our farm. Following a snowfall during the kids’ spring break, the sun has come out and the temperatures have warmed up. It’s a different feel of seasons.

The flowers have begun appearing in my yard and on my fruit trees. The bees have been out scouting and gathering water. The wheat in the fields has begun to turn a vibrant green. Migratory birds are moving north. The daylight is present longer.

Shut down the Department of Education ASAP

GUEST COLUMN, Star Parker

A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute summarizes results from the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress — also known as the nation's report card.

The test, given every two years, reports scores of our nation's children in reading and math at the fourth grade and eighth grade levels.

AEI characterizes the most recent results as a "five-alarm fire." I call it simply pathetic.

Messiah: in the Upper Room

MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron

We continue our focus on the life of the Messiah, and with Easter approaching, I’d like to look at a few events during His last week on earth. While the three years of Jesus ministry were full and fast-moving, none were more so than the last few days, called Passion Week.

After the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the temple and several days of teaching, Jesus sought a place to be alone with His disciples. The writers of Matthew, Mark and Luke record directions to the disciples, how they were to remember the moment as they celebrated the Passover. But John, with his account, dedicated significant coverage to the words Jesus spoke, as He shared His heart with those He loved.

Rumblings in Topeka? Middle School? There’s nothing to fear

SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett

Over the past month, my time has been divided into thirds: Topeka, highway, home/campus. It’s not the ideal work-life balance, and it requires a lot of the team at Seward County Community College. It also requires a lot of my family.

That’s why, at our most recent all-staff meeting, I shared the fact that my wife had called just before the session to remind me: get home at the agreed-upon time that night: We had a scheduled event at a local middle school. Because next year, we will be the parents of a middle-school student.