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.
Opinion
Health care 'Bridge Plan' will help thousands
- Opinion
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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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Letters to the Editor: February 14, 2012
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Street Talk "What's the nicest thing you ever did for someone on Valentine's Day?"
"What's the nicest thing you ever did for someone on Valentine's Day?"
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Letters to the Editor: February 13, 2012
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Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
"I love you." "Be mine." "You're cute when you're spending money."
- Saturday, February 11, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: February 11, 2012
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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.
- Friday, February 10, 2012
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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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Letters to the Editor: February 10, 2012
NetSummary
- Thursday, February 9, 2012
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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.
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Letters to the Editor: February 9, 2012
- 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.
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Letters to the Editor: February 8, 2012
NetSummary
- Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: 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.
- 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.
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Letters to the Editor: February 6, 2012
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Street Talk "Do you think we will have a big snow storm the rest of the winter?"
"Do you think we will have a big snow storm the rest of the winter?"
- Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: 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.
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Cheers
