"Open season to switch health insurance plans" Letter to the editor, Hal Chorny

The open session is upon us, a period during which seniors can switch health insurance plans. Seniors are receiving solicitations to join Medicare Advantage plans with promises of huge money savings, perks like gym memberships, vision and dental coverage, and more. They are trying to lure seniors from government run Medicare into private, for- profit plans. Medicare Advantage plans maximize profits to reward their stockholders. Traditional Medicare limits what physicians can charge and keeps their overhead to less than two percent. Some Medicare Advantage plans are cheaper than straight Medicare, but provide less coverage. There are many indirect ways to reduce coverage including obstacles to obtain authorizations, size limited panels of doctors and as many ingenious ways as they can create. Their major goal is profit, not health care. The main goal of traditional Medicare is health care, not profits. With straight Medicare one can see most any provider and never be denied care by a clerk administering the rules of the company. It is the plan for those who want to be sure they will get what they pay for. 

Publishing history

HV1: 11/30/22

"Jen Metzger" Letter to the editor, Doris Chorny

Ulster County needs Jen Metzger to be our County Executive.  Her position as Executive Director of Citizens for Local Power from 2013 to 2018 exemplifies the kind of nuts-and-bolts effectiveness typical of Jen’s endeavors.

For the third summer running, one CLP program offered 20 local residents 8 weeks of paid onsite training in solar panels installation, energy auditing, home-sealing and weatherization.  Trainees needn’t have a high school diploma or even a car.  They can go on to earn certifications by studying at SUNY Ulster.  What an opportunity for youngsters who might be very much in need of one.

Other CLP energy initiatives aimed to lower electricity costs, establish cleaner energy sources and simultaneously promote local economic development. By contrast Jen’s opponent, Town of Ulster Supervisor James Quigley, tried to establish a fracked-gas burning power plant in the Town of Ulster.  He even blocked public hearings on the issue.  Jen Metzger and CLP succeeded in repurposing the facility to one using renewable energy; Quigley now tries to claim credit for that.  As State Senator, Jen was able to go further and proposed legislation to permanently ban fracking in New York State. The ban passed as part of the 2020-2021 state budget.

Jen has similar nuts-and-bolts successes in the areas of housing, mental health and the extension of broadband and cell service.

Please stand with Pat Ryan and Juan Figueroa and vote for Jen Metzger for County Executive on November 8.

Publishing history

Mid Hudson Times: !0/12/22

"Republicans need to play fair & be informed" Letter t the editor Doris Chorny

It’s time to set the record straight regarding Congressman Antonio Delgado (D19): he has never been a fan of ‘defunding the police’ or cashless bail, as Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro would have us believe.  Molinaro ought to know that cashless bail was voted on by the New York State government and Delgado, as a member of the US Congress, has nothing to do with that.

What he did do in the House of Representatives was to support the bi-partisan Invest in Law Enforcement Act. This would send federal dollars to rural police departments to improve recruitment and training practices.  The Act was applauded by multiple police, sheriff and state trooper organizations.

Is it too much to ask Republicans to play fair and be informed?

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One 4/27/22

"American workers are gaining power" letter to the editor Tom Denton

For decades, American corporations have strengthened their hold over the American worker. CEO compensation has soared while employees have seen their real wages stagnate or decrease; their once-secure benefits vanish; their ability to organize unions restricted; their mobility in pursuit of better lives brought to a halt. Corporate donors have fed the Republican politicians committed to maintaining that status quo.

The COVID disaster has shaken the corporate stranglehold, and Democrats in Congress and the President have pushed hard for change. They passed the American Rescue Plan—with no GOP votes—to keep the economy afloat while Americans could slowly recover from the pandemic devastation.

Workers’ comeback has been fast. Under President Biden, the nation has recovered over six million jobs, the fastest in history.  The unemployment rate is at historic lows, with new claims down to nearly unimaginable totals. Even better, wages have increased significantly, and workers are now finding new power to demand health benefits, retirement plans, and flexibility in scheduling. Remote communication has translated into increased worker negotiation power and opportunities. Employees now can dream again about relocating to improve their families’ lives, not being frozen in a precarious job status.

Price increases, attributable to supply line distributions, corporate price gouging, and the overseas war have tempered wage gains. The Federal Reserve is making moves to cool the economy, and the Biden administration is acting to bring down the prices of gas and prescription drugs.

When prices drop to much lower levels, as they will, strong wage gains and improved standards of living will remain. There are good reasons to believe that American workers like their new power and will fight to keep it. They should think hard about which political party will have their backs. What does history tell us? Democrats deliver for workers

Publishing hisory:

daily freeman April 10, 2022

"Speak out in support of climate initiatives" Letter to the editor Ted Millar

New Yorkers concerned about the climate crisis are waiting right now: waiting for the New York State budget to be finalized, waiting for hearings to begin on the Climate Action Council’s draft scoping plan, and, as ever, waiting for people to wake up to the urgent need to get off fossil fuels. Yes, that includes you and me.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Carl Heastie should provide $1 billion in state funds annually for all-electric housing initiatives and incentives and back priority climate legislation to decarbonize our buildings.

The Climate Action Council was charged with devising policies to achieve the goals laid out in the 2019 climate law to achieve mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. New Yorkers will be able to weigh in soon on the CAC’s plan, and we need to push our elected leaders to be bold.

Finally, there is individual responsibility. Like the Germans, who are asking citizens to reduce energy use to decrease Germany’s reliance on gas from Russia, we need to conserve. Turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. Drive slower. Better yet, buy an electric vehicle instead of a gas car and look into heat pumps to replace your aging furnace or water heater.

Meanwhile, oil and gas companies are advertising heavily, advocating less regulation and more fossil fuels, as if there is no climate crisis. Don’t let them fool you. Speak out for the right climate policies now.  We don’t have time to wait.

publishing hisory:

Daily freeman April 1, 2022

" There are two main heroes in the battle for Ukraine" Letter to the editor Hal Chorny

There are two main heroes in the battle for Ukraine. Zelenskyy is widely praised for his valor and determination to keep Ukraine a democracy and free of Russian domination. The other hero is Joe Biden. He rescued NATO from Trump’s undermining. Biden led NATO to make plans to support Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion and now we see that NATO is a major player in the war. The Soviet assault is stalemated and Russia is slipping into an economic depression.  Republicans care about nothing but winning elections, supporting their ambitions with endless criticism of Biden. We are fortunate that Biden is a match for Putin and a fitting partner for Zelenskyy.

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One 3/22/22

" Night lights kill" letter to the editor Doris Chorny

We are aware that moths are fatally attracted to light, though no one understands just why. Moths can literally burn themselves out as they careen around an artificial light or die by zooming onto a bulb. What we’re less aware of is that most moths dine on the nectar of nocturnal flowers. If these flowers are illuminated by artificial light, 62% less feeding occurs. These lights also make it harder for them to find a mate, but easier for birds, spiders and ants to find a meal of moths.

We should care about the size of the moth population because we care about the size of our bird population. A typical baby bird consumes 30-40 meals a day and caterpillars are the most nutritious and easily consumed meal for nestlings. If we decimate the moth population, we decimate the caterpillar population and we impact the life cycle of birds.

For the sake of your security use yellow, motion detector lights that focus light downward instead. They now can be solar generated so don’t require electricity. You’ll be securing many little, but important lives at the same time.

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One 3/16/22

"A big change to traditional Medicare is coming" Letter to the editor Maggie Veve

 I am writing about a change to traditional Medicare I am concerned about.

Millions of us seniors and Medicare beneficiaries are quietly being enrolled into a pilot program called “Realizing Equity Access in Community Health (REACH),” run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which contracts with third-party middlemen. This is occurring without our full knowledge or consent. If left unchecked, the REACH program could radically transform traditional Medicare within a few years, without input from us and without any Congressional oversight.

Developed by the previous administration and moving forward in the administration, the Medicare REACH program allows commercial insurers and other for-profit companies to “manage” care for seniors enrolled in Traditional (fee-for-service) Medicare. Instead of paying doctors and hospitals directly for seniors’ care, Medicare gives these middlemen a monthly payment to cover a defined portion of each senior’s medical expenses. REACH investor entities are then allowed to keep what they don’t pay for in health services, a dangerous financial incentive to restrict and ration seniors’ care. While Traditional Medicare requires 98 percent of its budget to be spent on patient care, REACH requires only 60 percent, thereby allowing up to 40 percent of their budget for their own profit and overhead.  Dr. Susan Rogers, a retired internal medicine doctor and president of the 24,000-member Physicians for a National Health Program said, “this establishes a dangerous incentive to ration and restrict seniors’ care; if left unchecked, REACH will hand Traditional Medicare to Wall Street investors, without input from seniors, doctors, or even Congress.”

When I learned about this program, I called fellow Medicare recipients and they had not heard about this. One who checked if it affected them already told me their doctor was now part of this “network.” That seemed harmless enough but then learned that she would not be able to choose other doctors out of the network, like I can with Traditional Medicare.  After reading more, I called our Congressman in January and learned that at that point in time, the staff hadn’t heard about it. I have since contacted our US Senators and the Biden administration and haven’t received any indication that they know about the REACH program concerns. Consequently, I am turning to the public to learn about this program.  Do some research (see the Physicians for a National Health Program/pnhp.org) and talk with your neighbor.  At my end I, with fellow seniors from Ulster Activists and Indivisible Ulster are providing a forum to learn about REACH at Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz on Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. Join us to learn more about this program and what you can do to maintain your Traditional Medicare.

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One 3/16/22

" Where is the CARE in health care?" Letter to the editor Kathryn Adorney

I am increasingly disturbed by the quality of health care in this country. A friend in Los Vegas had a total hysterectomy to treat uterine cancer. She was out the same day – and in the ER the next day. Same-day care can be great, but with a health care system that provides no home care, who is going to witness and document the recovery process? And this is just one outcome of a health care system geared toward minimal care…and maximum profit.

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One 3/16/22

"Public accountability" Letter to the editor Irwin Sperber

The disclosures presented by the president of Friends of the Shawangunks call for independent hearings at the Town and County level. Voters and taxpayers in Gardiner should pay especially close attention to John Hayes’ letter to the editor, “Public trust,” in Hudson Valley One, 2/23/22, pp. 23-24. His account of how laws and ordinances are being evaded in the construction of a “glamping” facility in Gardiner serves the cause of good government and sound environmental policy. Favoritism and cronyism in allowing a large-scale “glamping” operation to go forward without the required construction and environmental permits cannot be tolerated. Even if only some of these disclosures were true, their further investigation by appropriate law enforcement agencies would seem to be in order.

In allowing the regulations to be waived, the responsible public official (in Gardiner’s case, Town Supervisor Majestic) may well have the best of intentions. When any public official or regulatory agency allows a developer to proceed without the necessary permits for problematic land use, any halfway competent corporate attorney can readily invoke this legal and administrative precedent to justify other development projects (for a Walmart, a hookah bar, a casino, a dynamite factory or anything else) to go forward as well. It may well be the case that the developer is a good neighbor, a good friend, a generous campaign donor or an exemplary member of the community. And we can speculate about what might have led to this favoritism: Possible factors might include the official’s good intentions, indecisiveness, poor judgment, old-fashioned cronyism, an infatuation with tourism, sheer madness or some combination thereof.

Some years ago, an environmental attorney characterized a similar scenario, which has become evident in the Catskills during the rapid rise of property values, as “land anarchy.” But another characterization of it can be offered that is more graphic and, I fear, more realistic. This trend toward the relaxation (or suspension or waiver) of requirements for construction permits is slowly but surely going to transform Gardiner and other towns and hamlets in the Catskills into stark versions of Paramus. If public officials really cherish the pipe dreams underlying this dystopia, they might wish to consider relocating there. Unless this trend is called to a halt, Route 44/55 will take on the features of New Jersey’s Route 17, with glamping grounds and monuments to extinct species complementing the shopping malls, lit-up billboards and auto dealerships on both sides of the road.

Some Town supervisors, Planning Boards, town consultants and attorneys, mayors and other champions of “progress” seem to be enthralled by massive development projects. These projects are usually heralded as recreational stopovers, tourist bonanzas, environmental enhancements, job creators or, more gratuitously, as guarantees of new property tax revenue. Whatever the good or bad intentions of the cheerleaders for such projects, their long-term consequences of economic harm and ecological degradation are not what most voters have in mind when they go to the polls. We can only hope that Gardiner’s elected and appointed officials are prepared to address the problem at hand; if not, it will be up to the voters to hold them accountable.

Publication history:

Hudson Valley One /9/22

"Delgado Supports Gateway Act for Community Colleges" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

As a community college teacher for nearly 40 years, I’ve been able to witness the inspiring life journeys of many students. Most haven’t come from privileged backgrounds. Many have had to work, full or part time, throughout their college years. Many of those students have also had to juggle family responsibilities with their studies.

The aspirations of these community college students have varied. Some used their early years as a jumpstart to eventual transfer to a four-year school. Others re-tooled their maturity, leaving aimless high school years behind to discover what hard work and focus could earn them. Some had ambitions for professional careers; some wanted training for skilled technical jobs or an upgrade of their existing skills.

Community colleges are a place where small but profound miracles can and do happen — small only when looked at individually, but with great impact on society collectively.

President Biden’s hope to establish free community colleges didn’t happen. But our nation has recognized their importance, as has our congressman, Antonio Delgado. He joined Rep. Alma Adams to reintroduce legislation to strengthen the nation’s commitment to students in community college with the Gateway to Careers Act. Delgado recognizes that students with many external challenges have better chances to succeed in school when they have access to supportive systems such as child care, transportation and medical assistance. Furthermore, colleges that receive grants from the legislation would provide career counseling and establish relationships with workforce partners to enhance job opportunities for students. The Gateway Act acknowledges that the technical education segment of community colleges needs greater support. Thanks go to Congressman Delgado and other public servants for working to close the gaps in our system.

Publishing history:

Oneonta Daily Star      3/4/22

" We do not want Medicare privatized" Letter to the editor Hal Chorny

Seniors are in danger of losing traditional Medicare. They will be put into an inferior system called REACH, which enriches investors and costs the government more.

Medicare allows free access to physicians of your choice with no need for justification. If you are sick, you get care. The new plan limits the choice of physicians and one must convince a middleman that care is necessary. The government organization trying to take down traditional Medicare is The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and they are quietly spreading this business plan across the country. By 2030, traditional Medicare will be gone without your consent. You will receive a letter appearing harmless, but all the rules will have changed.

Medicare permits 2% for overhead and there is no profit. REACH allows 40% for overhead and profits. Investors are rushing to join these cash cows. Profits will be increased by limiting care or by substituting cheaper treatments. Patient care will suffer and big business will make big profits. There are now five REACH type organizations operating in NY State. Tell your Congressman, Senators and President Biden that you want this so-called pilot project stopped. They need to hear from us that we do not want Medicare privatized and our health made secondary to business profits.

Publishing history

HV1       3/3/22

"" Another “legitimate political discourse?”" Letter to the editor Misha Harnick

Hitler’s takeover of Sudetenland in 1938 presaged the start of WWII.  Russian crushing of the Hungarian revolution in 1956 was very violent and deadly, and resulted in hundreds of thousands emigrating. Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 to annihilate the “socialism with human face” movement was totally unanticipated.  We woke up in early hours and heard much too many planes…later, there was a Russian tank parked in the courtyard of the Charles University.  The invasion resulted in 20 years of “age of darkness” with cultural, intellectual and political devastation. . (I did not live through THAT; I emigrated in 1969 to the USA)   But there was no killing and no buildings were bombarded. Was Brezhnev more “civilized” than the current paranoid maniac?

Putin is a hypocritical barbarian: he wants to protect the “wayward” Ukraine from the West and bring it back to the “motherland”, yet he goes on a killing spree, and he is destroying most of the country. World opinion matters to him not, because, to his deranged mind, he is doing the right thing. 
What evil will happen where next?  Where will this lead the world?

publishing history

HV1      3/3/22

"No PILOTs in Marlboro" Letter to the editor Ted Millar

If the town of Marlborough and Marlboro School District are sincere in their endeavor to attract future residents and business, why are they considering a “Payment in Lieu of Taxes [PILOT]” agreement with the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency [IDA] that would permit an 18-year property tax reduction to the R. L. Baxter Corporation proposing constructing housing units on land bordering Marlboro Middle School?   

I agree with state senator James Skoufis in his recent statement that the Baxter company should pay its taxes like every other residential project in the Mid-Hudson Valley, adding the tax abatement will “significantly increase local costs district-wide.” He also noted, “The costs associated with municipal services are conveniently omitted from the IDA application.”

Unfortunately, we still perpetuate a tax system that funds schools through local property taxes instead of fully funded at the state and federal level. Letting developers off the hook for those taxes would exploit Marlboro/Milton residents and depress future town growth. Residents of the proposed units would not be given a pass on their taxes; the units’ developer should not be given one either. 

 Regardless of wealth and income, everyone needs to pay his and her fair share of taxes. Unfortunately, we have a system in the United States that favors wealth over wages with laws riddled with loopholes and carve outs for Wall St., corporations, and the ultra rich. The result of this is that the middle class is forced to shoulder most of the financial burden.

Publishing history:

Southern Ulster Times.  Feb. 10

"Democrats Deliver, Democrats Build" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

 President Biden’s poll ratings currently are suffering, in large part because of the mess he inherited and the huge task of extricating the country out of it. The process will take time, even as we all are eager to escape the COVID-caused mire in our lives.

In its first year, the Biden administration and Democratic Congress has delivered, by historical standards, a list of impressive achievements for the American people:

• The country’s 2021 growth rate (GDP, 5.7%) is the highest in four decades.

• The most recent unemployment rate was 4%, closest to its 21st century low.

• The number of new jobs created was the highest first-year total for any American president.

• A success that numbers can’t fully capture:  the millions of people and businesses who, because of the American Rescue Plan relief payments, were able to claw their way through the catastrophic disruptions of COVID-19.

• Passage of the expanded child tax credit dramatically reduced child poverty in a period of family crisis.

• Funding for rebuilding our roads and bridges, modernizing our electric grid, and expanding broadband access to rural and other underserved areas.

There’s much more to include. Suffice to conclude that Democrats have delivered sane, rational, deliberative governance and relief from the exhausting torrent of tweets and the ascendance of dangerous crackpots.

Inflation, in large part a consequence of our rapid recovery and the infusion of relief money in the economy, is being addressed, with the Federal Reserve having the heaviest role.

Radical Republicans, congealed into the party of breakers, the party of “No,” desperately use cultural conflicts to distract Americans from the reality:  Democrats whom the nation elected in 2020 are doing the hard work the people asked them to do. They are delivering.

"Prevent filibuster from blocking Freedom to Vote Act" Letter to the editor Doris Chorny

There is much ado lately about protecting our elections from fraud, despite the fact that recounts and multiple court cases prove that the 2020 election was squeaky-clean. There is also much ado by some states that they, not the federal government, control how elections should be handled. Not so. The Constitution affirms that “…the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such (state) Regulations.”

In 1870, Congress added the 15^th Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” In that same amendment, it provided that “the Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

Today’s Congress must use that power now and sideline the filibuster in order to protect the fundamental right in any Democracy: the right of the people to choose their leaders. Is the filibuster sacred? Hardly. It never was part of the Constitution or Senate rules, but was introduced by Southern congressmen after the Civil War to obstruct the civil rights of Black citizens…all the more reason to prevent the filibuster from blocking the Freedom to Vote Act.

Thankfully, our New York senators, Schumer and Gillibrand, see clearly on this issue.

Doris Chorny

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One  1/26/22