Blog—September 10, 2025—9-10—Working on Wellness Wednesday

   Our Working on Wellness Wednesday---covered a lot of ground---and we were happy to be able to include the guests we did.

   Dr. Tim Ridgway---Leader of the South Dakota Med School in Vermillion—was our lead off hitter---

   We were able to focus on the mission of rural healthcare. It’s an important industry---ag being #1 industry In South Dakota.

   We constantly visit with members of the Med School class---letting us understand what they are doing—how they are doing it----and what being a part of this radio show and meeting lawmakers in Pierre mean to them.

   With each student we talk with---they have their own goals and ideas---but they appreciate the fact (at least from my vantage point) what South Dakota can do for them---and at the same time—what they can do for the people of South Dakota—or perhaps a neighboring state they want to choose.

   Dr. Ridgway was very good at what he did with patients---and those he worked with. Today—he focuses on the students---and we are working together to meet them in a setting that works. The audience likes it as well—and it sends the message that they care—and get ready—they’ll be coming as graduates shortly.

   While we were talking about the future of South Dakota---there was a story line that shared by 2034---their will be a shortfall in the social security trust fund. What do we do-----whether in a Sioux Falls or community in the state. One thing we heard this morning from the Sioux Falls Health Director Joe Kippley---was that the City of Sioux Falls in a meeting this week—started looking at what it would mean to our community—if the social security funds would be trimmed down because of a shortfall in the trust funds.

    A new economic study is warning that cuts to Social Security Retirement benefits would shorten lives, a finding with particular weight in rural counties and reservation communities—yes and across the Northern Plains where vulnerable populations often rely heavily on the program. The findings carry news urgency as Social Security trustees project the program trust fund will be depleted by 2034, potentially triggering automatic benefit cuts of 19%.

     Social Security is the main source of income for many retirees in South Dakota. About one in six state residents in rural counties compared to national averages, with some reservation communities experiencing poverty rates as high as 48%.

     The study’s conclusion –that every $1000 cut in annual benefits reduces life expectancy by nearly a month underscores the risks of benefit reductions for vulnerable populations within the state’s aging demographic.

     Sobering figures---and we shared that with Congressman Dusty Johnson and those around him in the 10-11 hour.

     We talked in the 9:20 slot with Sue Thesenga---about the concerns with Red Cross Blood month----and the basic needs for types O positive and B negative blood. Lauri Hoffman talked about quite the  blood drive with the Community Blood Bank. Both need blood and we’ll work with both.

   --------our It’s YOUR Business Show with Working on Wellness Wednesday—will provide help ---the blood is needed—it is life and death much of the time.

    Listen live to the show at 1320—105.1, 107.9—use the KELO App—Streaming on line or just ask Alexa. Norm Anderson posts the podcast of the show—my job is to schedule the guests, study, interview the guests and write this blog—to help let you know what is in the show.

    Questions for me—feel free to call/text at 605-728-2455 (BILL) or email me at bill.zortman@mwcradio.com.