Area lawmakers on the airways Saturday

If you're interested in what has -- or hasn't -- taken place in the Indiana General Assembly the past several weeks, tune in to WVUT-TV on Saturday.

The "Meet Your Legislators" show will be broadcast from 9-10 a.m.

The live broadcast from Vincennes University's Davis Hall, Studio B, will feature legislators discussing issues in the Indiana General Assembly.

The public is invited to attend the show.

Legislators invited to attend include Rep. Bruce Borders of District 45, Rep. Kreg Battles of District 64, Rep. Mark Messmer of District 63, Sen. Lindel Hume of District 48, and Sen. John Waterman of District 39.

The event is co-sponsored by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of Knox County, and Pace Community Action, Inc.

Viewers can phone-in questions the day of the show to (812) 888-5334 or email questions in advance to wvut@vinu.edu .

In addition to the live morning broadcast, the program will be repeated at 5 p.m. the same day.

State asks for help with healthcare

From now until March 30, Indiana residents will have the chance to offer their thoughts on the design of a state-based healthcare benefit exchange, according to State Rep. Peggy Welch (D-Bloomington), who serves Greene County residents in Beech Creek Township.

"As part of the new federal healthcare reform plan (the Affordable Care Act), states are being asked to create health benefit exchanges by January 2014," Welch said in a prepared statement.

"These exchanges are designed to give individuals and small businesses a chance to find, compare and enroll in health insurance plans, and to obtain federal tax credits for premium expenses."

Welch says the state is in the process of trying to figure out the framework of this exchange, and is asking for input from all interested parties, including consumers, healthcare providers, business owners, and insurers.

By going to the following website, Welch said people can access a survey to offer their opinions: www.nationalhealthcare.in.gov

"The new healthcare plan will affect the lives of millions of Hoosiers, and this is a perfect chance for people to help design a key component of the program, one that can help them make choices that provide the best care options for themselves and their families," Welch said. "I encourage everyone to log on and take part."

Chris is the general manager/editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by email at cpruett79@gmail.com .