And another thing …

Home away from home. The state of Iowa may claim World War II hero Vernon Baker as a native son. But the state of Idaho and small town of St. Maries love him as one of their own.

Idahoans had a chance to prove their affection for the unassuming 85-year-old when word leaked out that Baker was facing $20,000 in bills related to surgery for a brain tumor, as a result of a bureaucratic snafu. Neighbors held a fund-raiser, organized by Baker family friend Marilyn Fletcher, who hoped to raise between $10,000 and $15,000 to help pay the bill.

The event raised $16,000. Gov. Dirk Kempthorne baked a chocolate cake, which sold for $125 and then was given to Baker and his wife, Heidy. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig was one of 500 people who crowded into the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries, to honor the only remaining black Medal of Honor winner.

Baker is fighting a battle of a different sort now – against an unseen enemy. Now, he knows, thanks to the huge outpouring of public love and support, that he isn’t fighting it alone.

More quitters, please. Medicare is instituting a smoking-cessation program that will pay for the counseling of beneficiaries who have a disease that is related to smoking or is exacerbated by smoking.

That’s a smart decision that could lead to long-term savings, but why wait until people have problems? Research has shown that smoking accounts for about 10 percent of the costs of Medicare, so it would make sense to get as many people as possible to kick the habit. Escalating health care costs might even justify making enrollment in smoking-cessation programs a requirement for Medicare beneficiaries.

The government has to do something about health care costs, and there are no solutions that are going to please everyone. The feds are on the right track with this program; they just need the will to take it to its logical conclusion.