Retired city workers need care they can afford
Troy, N.Y.: The Retired Public Employees Association, which represents the interests of nearly 500,000 New York state and local government retirees, strongly opposes any attempt to force retirees out of traditional Medicare.
New York City’s recent decision to pause implementation of a Medicare Advantage plan is a welcome development, but we remain concerned that the proposal could resurface in the future. RPEA strongly believes that retirees deserve health care that offers stability and access to the care they need without unnecessary barriers. We urge leaders to reject any plan that would limit coverage or compromise the promises made to public service retirees.
According to the state comptroller, the average pension for public service retirees is $28,000. Half receive a pension under $30,000 and 70% receive under $40,000. These are New Yorkers living on fixed incomes, which is why they rely on their current coverage for predictable out-of-pocket costs, access to trusted doctors and consistent care. Medicare Advantage plans often restrict provider networks and impose barriers, such as prior authorizations and treatment denials. Forcing retirees into such plans undermines promises made for decades of public service. That’s why RPEA supports efforts like the Health Equity for Retirees Act, which would protect retiree benefits statewide and ensure that no one is forced into reduced coverage without their consent. With bipartisan interest, advancing legislation next session remains a critical step in protecting the benefits retirees have earned.
We look forward to continuing to work with state lawmakers to ensure that retiree health care remains secure for years to come. Tom Tatun, executive director, Retired Public Employees Association
Always upping
Bronx: Now that the MTA receives money from congestion pricing, why would they increase the subway and bus fare? Eric Cummings Jr.
Condemned for cruelty
Glen Ridge, N.J.: The Queens man who kicked a dog to death and then set it on fire should have a front seat in hell because of his inhumane, depraved hatred of animals. He is a disgusting human being, and I use that term lightly. Isaiah Gurley, you should burn in hell. But first, spend the maximum time in prison that the court allows for your heinous act. Francine Ferrara
Conspicuous approach
Manhattan: In every news story, outlets use the same photograph of Park Ave. gunman Shane Tamura, seemingly walking or strolling, presumably casually, across a wide-open space holding an oversized, hard-to-miss firearm (an AR-15 rifle!) in his right hand. Did not anyone above, alongside or on surveillance see this suspicious man and consider contacting some authority about an obviously out-of-place gent who then turns out to be a mass shooter and murderer? James A. Fragale
Aid rescinded
Monroe, N.J.: President Trump stated, “Make sure they get food” after seeing “very hungry children” in Gaza on TV. He is asking for Israel to run it. Strange coming from a president who has cancelled USAID and other international humanitarian efforts. President Sensitivity has also cut so many services here in the U.S., like SNAP and health care services. How about practicing compassion to rightfully make America great again? Katherine A. Moloney
Rejecting reality
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin obeys Trump’s orders on what position to take, and with the rapid success of Trump’s authoritarian takeover, the opposition is going to have to get very creative to prevent politics from overruling science (“Zeldin’s greenhouse gasbag,” editorial, July 31). Government overreach in overruling science is no different than its monitoring CBS News and cancelling Stephen Colbert, or overseeing Columbia University’s hiring and admissions. Tyrant Trump is the true successor to French King Louis XIV, who’s credited with saying “L’État, c’est moi” — it’s my country and I make the rules. Trump thinks climate change is a hoax, resents the view of wind turbines at his Scottish golf courses (taxpayer-funded tour recently provided) and solicited massive contributions from oil giants in exchange for killing the renewable energy industry, clean jobs, local investment and all. Sally Kellock
Irrational reactions
Ormond Beach, Fla.: There has recently been a lot of angry, profanity-laced outbursts from the left, particularly since Trump has had success in meeting his campaign promises that got him elected last year. It seems to me that many Democrats and so-called progressives are not only conflicted by their Trump Derangement Syndrome, but they show textbook signs of histrionic personality disorder (HPD), a mental health condition characterized by excessive attention-seeking behaviors, emotional instability and a distorted self-image. Individuals with HPD often display dramatic or inappropriate behavior to gain attention and validation from others. Symptoms typically include emotional overreaction and a tendency to overdramatize situations. Cory Booker’s recent outburst in the Senate chamber is a perfect example of this. Charles Michael Sitero
Unconvincing evidence
Bronx: Voicer Ralph D’Esposito using the “fine people” hoax to state that MAGA hates Jews is like using the Jussie Smollett hoax to prove that MAGA hates minorities and gays. Chuck Shannon
Well-documented
Midland Park, N.J.: For those wanting to know more about the employee who Jeffrey Epstein “stole” from Trump, watch the four-part documentary “Surviving Jeffrey Epstein.” It is on Amazon Prime right now. The late Virginia Giuffre can be seen discussing how, as a 16-year-old employee of Mar-a-Lago, Ghislaine Maxwell offered to train her as a massage therapist for Epstein. The documentary is five years old and it is sadly riveting. Mary Jo McDonough
Incentivized
White Plains, N.Y.: After retiring, I worked for several companies in an upscale mall. It was not uncommon for store managers to recruit sale associates from other stores. These employees were not stolen. If they left their current job, it was because they were offered a better job description or benefits, or were hoping to work for a better boss. Randi Bernstein Feigenbaum
Exit the messengers
Dartmouth, Mass.: Witnessing the kowtowing and caving of universities, law firms and previously ethical legislators, there remains one bulwark to the destruction of American democracy: newspapers and cable networks. From the Washington Post to obscure local weeklies, fear and greed have effectively shut down any reliable rendition of the news. Relying on local trivia or being presented with false equivalency, readers are denied the truth or latch onto false information to rationalize their positions. In a failing democracy, the media either complies with the directives of the autocrats or they are denied access to unfolding events, or silenced by lawsuits totaling vast amounts of money. Once-respected journalists and commentators are either resigning or being fired, leaving their positions unfilled or being replaced by compliant or innocuous replacements. Without reliable and accurate news, a democracy dies swiftly and silently. Betty Ussach
Pillar of the sport
Hallandale Beach, Fla.: Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball. He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic. Ryne earned 10 consecutive All-Star selections, nine straight Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and 1984 National League MVP honors. Ryne remained active in the game as an ambassador for the Cubs, a manager for the Phillies and in the minor leagues, and a frequent participant at the Hall of Fame. His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. I extend my deepest condolences to Ryne’s family, Cubs fans everywhere and his admirers throughout our national pastime. Paul Bacon
Where are they now?
Augusta, Maine: Re “Justice Story: Dynamite kills 2 in tiny Maine town” (Aug. 4, 2013): I would like to comment and add additional information for this story. I live next door to Cynthia Kelley’s younger sister, who survived the 1963 dynamite attack. We have been neighbors for 18 years. Ms. Kelley’s granddaughter also lives here and grew up as best friends with my daughter. I first learned about this story from Ms. Kelley about eight years ago. It’s tragic but also fascinating, even more so because Ms. Kelley’s granddaughter was born more than 40 years after the tragedy on the same day, Aug. 3. I believe the baby is still living. I also believe Paul Pierce is among the living. I think it would be so interesting to follow up on this 62 years later. Tracy D. Towle
