News Releases

Has your business or organization been unable to offer group health insurance to employees?You may now be able to offer health insurance as an employee benefit. The Thermopolis- Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce is considering joining a successful effort by chambers in Sheridan and Gillette to get an organization large enough to offer group health insurance at competitive rates.In fact, the chamber has conducted an informal survey to determine if any businesses would be interested on cooperating in a health insurance trust and had at least 30 positive responses.The Sheridan and Gillette chambers started the program as a benefit to its members, and it now covers several hundred employees. According to insurance industry spokesmen, the higher the number of participants, the better the opportunity to have a successful program.If Thermopolis joins, it will follow guidelines already set up by Sheridan and Gillette.The program offers employees at least six types of coverage, allowing them to choose the one they think best matches their needs. The employer sets the amount toward the coverage.For instance, the employer might offer to pay $200 a month of the monthly premium. The employee then makes a final choice of plans, depending on how much more he or she is willing to pay.In fact, the Independent Record is already participating in the program. The Wyoming Press Association Insurance trust for several years offered group health insurance, but the participation never surpassed a couple of hundred people.With the need for increased numbers of participants in mind, the press association combined its insurance program with the Gillette and Sheridan chambers this year.A meeting is planned May 13 at Thermopolis Middle School to explain the program to anyone interested. The session will not be limited to current chamber members since anyone can join later.Attending will be administrators from the insurance trust, possibly including someone form the Sheridan of Gillette chambers.“The response to our survey was exciting,” Chamber Executive Director Kathy Wallingford said. “We had heard of the desire to offer health insurance here, but to get 30 positive responses so quickly indicates there is a real need. “The next steps will be to answer everyone’s questions and then get enough participants that we will be allowed to join.”  

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Brad Basse was named Citizen of the Year and Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital the Business of the Year at the Thermopolis- Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Saturday night.            About 170 people attended the “Paradise” themed event, compared with 150 in 2007, chamber director Kathy Wallingford said.            “We had a lot of compliments that a lot of people liked the Academy Awards- style presentation with the five finalists, so we’ll probably do it again next year,” Wallingford said.Citizen of the YearBasse gave thanks to God and to his community when accepting his award.            The Hot Springs County commission chairman is the vice president of Jadeco, Inc. A 1980 graduate of Hot Springs County High School, he was born and raised in Thermopolis.            He attended Northwest College from 1980- 1982 and earned his associate’s degree in engineering. He attended the University of Nebraska from 1983- 86 and completed his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, before finishing master’s coursework.            In 1986, Basse returned to Thermopolis with his wife, Dr. Leslie Basse. Their daughters are Andrea, 18, at the University of Wyoming, and Sarah, 15, a freshman at HSCHS.            In 1995, Basse and his brother, Richard, purchased Jadeco, Inc. from their father and uncle.            In June 2002, he was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the county commission and then was elected to his first full term in 2004. Basse also served as a chairman of the Basin Authority Child Support Enforcement Board, is a board member for the Thermopolis- Hot Springs Economic Development Co. and is a member of the Wyoming Local Government Liability Pool Board and Big Horn Federal Advisory Board.            He is a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and has served in various church offices.Business of the YearHospital Chief Executive officer Trudy Chittick accepted the award. Marketing Director T.J. Schoenwald gave the acceptance speech.            “In years past, Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital has discussed changing its name to something more modern catchy and trendy such as Medical Center,” he said. “But in the end HSCMH is, after all, a not- for- profit county hospital located in the community of Thermopolis.            “The hospital doesn’t have the fame of a regional medical center, but it does take care of Hot Springs County’s basic medical needs with services you would expect to find at a larger medical center. More than mortar bricks, technology and equipment: HSCMH employees are “the heart” of the hospital. We are, after all, your county hospital.”           
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