Opinion

Recently, New York Assemblyman Will Barclay wrote a column (Dec. 4, Legislation Seeks to Protect Patients From High Air Ambulance Costs) about his proposed model legislation that would impact air ambulance services and the patients they serve. While the Assemblyman’s proposal seeks to address the financial burden insurance companies sometimes place on patients when they don’t fully cover emergency care, it unfortunately fails to address the underlying problem: inadequate reimbursement rates.

It is time we change our thinking on Alzheimer’s disease. Too often Alzheimer’s is treated as an aging issue, ignoring the public health consequences of a disease that someone in the U.S. develops every 66 seconds. And with two-thirds of its annual costs being borne by Medicare and Medicaid, it is one that demands more attention from our government.

I want to use the taxpayers’ savings account (fund balance) to give myself and Department heads raises. If that statement upsets you, come to the public hearing on the Oswego County Budget on: Thursday Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. on the fourth floor of the County Building, 46 E. Bridge St., Oswego.

To the good folks of Oswego County, thank you for a great year! As I wrap up final reports for several grants we received this year, I am struck by the overwhelming good news this year has brought to CNY Arts Center. We have so much to be grateful for and great memories to cherish.

Please remember the food drive taking place at the TOPS store in Fulton. This effort come about to assist the efforts by Catholic Charities in filling the large requests for food baskets this holiday season. The need continues and we want to assure families will have enough food for the holiday and when children are off that week on “vacation” from school.

The election results for the 25th District Legislative seat are official. The counts are Legislator Frank Castiglia Jr. D – 405 his opponent R,I – 246 and write-in candidate R – 76. Claims that the write-in candidate votes gave me the election were just not true.

Rep. Katko needs to vote no on any version of the GOP tax cut giveaway to billionaires and corporations when it returns to the House of Representatives. Senate Republicans quickly rammed their tax bill through before full analysis and debate could take place. The bill is very unpopular with the public, including 13 million people who could lose healthcare and the millions more burdened by the ripple effect of increased insurance premiums.

Congressman Katko is representing his constituents in Congress and one only needs to look at his Federal Election Commission reports to realize who his constituents are; Virginia tobacco producer the Altria Group, Oklahoma’s Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Indiana pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly, Pacific Gas and Electric from California, Koch Industries of Kansas, the Florida Sugar Cane League and many others that will benefit from the current tax reform proposal and have donated thousands and thousands of dollars to Congressman Katko.

Last week, the House of Representatives voted on the first major reform of the United States Tax Code in more than 30 years. Like every bill that comes before the House for a vote, I studied this measure and analyzed its impact on the individuals and families who live and work in our community. After careful deliberation, I cast my vote in favor of this measure. I supported this legislation for two basic reasons: The vast majority of my constituents will receive a tax cut under this plan, and this effort will allow local businesses to invest in Central New York and our workforce.