Uninsured New Yorkers got a little piece of good news this week, when Gov. David Paterson announced the state had begun taking applications for the NY Bridge Plan.
The insurance program is the state's first component of the health care reform package signed into law by President Obama earlier this year.
The plan will offer low-cost health care for uninsured New Yorkers who have pre-existing health conditions.
The two bills dubbed "Obamacare" _ the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act _ are certainly among the most controversial acts of President Obama's term thus far. A majority of U.S. states have filed lawsuits or attempted other challenges in opposition to the new laws.
But the benefits of the NY Bridge Plan are hard to ignore.
The plan expects to offer coverage for about 15,000 of the 2.5 million uninsured New Yorkers. It may not sound like much, but it's sure better than nothing _ which is exactly what a lot of people have had as far as coverage for a long time now.
The uninsured cost all of us a lot of money, whether we have insurance or not. A 2008 report by Families USA found that uninsured Americans only end up paying for about 37 percent of the health care they received from hospitals, doctors and other providers. About a quarter of the tab is picked up by government programs _ i.e., your taxpayer dollars. The remaining money doesn't get paid at all, which means insurance companies charge their customers more to make up for the losses.
We understand that "Obamacare" will still rely on taxpayer money to fund some of its programs.
But if we can use taxpayer money more efficiently _ for example, by providing preventive care, and treating patients in doctor's offices instead of emergency rooms _ it can result in savings.
The NY Bridge Plan isn't a handout, but it does offer a more affordable way for New Yorkers to get coverage. Plans will cost us $362 per month here in upstate New York _ about $60 less than our neighbors to the south.
It's not going to be for everyone. There are a limited number of slots available, and there will probably be those for whom $362 a month is not affordable. But we encourage all who may be eligible to apply. Those who cannot afford the plan may be eligible for other health care programs from the state. Family Health Plus and Healthy NY offer free and low-cost health care, respectively.
Controversial though they may be, these programs can help a lot of people in need.
Editorials
Health care 'Bridge Plan' will help thousands
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Cheers
To new school lunch standards, the All County Band Festival, and welcoming home Army Spec. Michael Dow.
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Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
"I love you." "Be mine." "You're cute when you're spending money."
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
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Women must win fight for opportunity
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will recommend that Congress officially allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
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Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
We learned some good news about some terrible news in a story by reporter Joe Mahoney in Tuesday's Daily Star.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
A special committee selected by the Otsego County Chamber has made two excellent decisions regarding the organization's annual awards for service to our communities.
Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas proposed a bill this week to help police combat a disturbing trend of increasing prescription drug abuse.
Continued ... - Friday, February 3, 2012
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
The recent story of Stamford grandmother Melody DiGregorio grieving the loss of her grandson, Air Force veteran Edward "Drew" Snyder, brings home the debilitating and often-unreported effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on our service men and women.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
Our area recently lost two important and influential members of our community: Oneonta surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Stalter and newly elected Sixth Ward Council Member Mike Naples.
Continued ... - Friday, January 27, 2012
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
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Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
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Cheers
