OLYMPIA — Open enrollment for Washington Healthplanfinder plans began Tuesday and extends through Jan. 31.
After the deadline passes, only those with qualifying life events — such as getting married, having a child, moving to a new coverage area or aging out of a parent’s plan — will be eligible to enroll before the next open enrollment period begins in the fall.
The deadline does not apply to those with Medicaid, for whom enrollment is open year-round.
State officials say health insurance rate increases on the state exchange are increasing between 7.3 percent and 18.9 percent.
Thirteen health insurers have been approved to sell 154 individual and family plans, according to the state insurance commissioner’s office.
Premium changes will depend on several factors, including where people live, their age, smoking habits and which insurer and plan they choose. Subsidies can also lower premiums for those who qualify.
For more, see www.wahealthplanfinder.org or call the customer support center at 855-923-4633.
Chimacum board
CHIMACUM — The Chimacum School Board will elect officers at a special meeting today.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. at 91 West Valley Road.
Board members also may take action on an annual organizational meeting to establish the seniority rotational schedule and on duties and timelines for board officers.
An executive session is planned, with no action to follow.
Foothills series
PORT ANGELES — Keith Moul will give a multimedia presentation at Peninsula College as part of Studium Generale and the Foothills Writers Series at 12:35 p.m. Thursday.
The talk will be held in the college’s Little Theater, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
Moul has written more than 2,000 works in his 40-plus years as a poet and photographer.
In the past couple of years, he has concentrated on war poems using his father’s journal from World War II.
The event is free and open to the public.
Email Professor Janet Lucas at jlucas@pencol.edu.
New education grant offered
The Beta Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has a new grant, the Community Education Grant.
These grants will be awarded to nonprofit agencies for educational projects. Projects might include opportunities for students/participants to learn new information, skills, practices or extend previous knowledge or skills.
Grants will be awarded on a one-time basis, but consideration will be given to re-occurring projects.
Applying agencies must serve people living in areas served by the Sequim and Port Angeles school districts.
The specified project must be carried out under the direction of a qualified educator.
Beta Nu is a women educators professional and philanthropic organization.
More information and the application are on the Beta Nu’s website, www.betanuchapter.com.
The first application will be due Nov. 15. For more information, phone Sue Clary at 360-683-3552.
LiFT Program
PORT ANGELES — LiFT, a family program, will meet at the North Olympic Skills Center, 905 W. Ninth St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
LiFT — Linking Families & Teens — is a free five-hour program in which adults and teens can connect about health and communication.
There will be snacks, food and prizes.
The program is for students in grades 9-12 and a close adult in their life, such as a parent, grandparent, relative or close family friend.
LiFT involves completing surveys to evaluate the program, which was written by Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands.
It is sponsored by Port Angeles High School and funded by grants from
the Office of Adolescent Health.
For more information, contact Bree Galbreath at 517-256-8895 or briana.galbreath@ppgnhi.org.
