BALCONY New York

Governor Paterson Names Advisory Committee to Help Health Care Reform Cabinet

GOVERNOR PATERSON SELECTS BALCONY TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO HELP HEALTH CARE REFORM CABINET

BALCONY this week (Tuesday) was named by Governor David Paterson to the Health Care Reform Advisory Committee, which will provide input to the Governor's Health Care Reform Cabinet on the implementation of federal health care reform in New York State. The Advisory Committee includes 37 organizations representing health care providers, consumers, businesses, organized labor, local governments, health plans and health insurers, and health policy experts.

"Federal health care reform will have a significantly positive impact for New York's residents, families, small business owners and the 2.5 million New Yorkers who are currently uninsured," Governor Paterson said. "It is essential that we get health reform right, making the most of this opportunity to improve access to health care while reducing cost. Our broad advisory group will help us achieve this goal."

"BALCONY is honored to be a participant in the Governor's panel to continue to find common ground between business and labor on the implemental of health care reform in New York State," stated BALCONY Director Lou Gordon. "For the past 3 years we have been working with small businesses, labor unions, health care advocates, providers and trade associations in helping to forge a workable coalition that provides affordable Health Care for New Yorkers. In fact, in April HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius detailed the new Health Care Law to a BALCONY New York City Symposium which featured a broad range of experts, providers and consumers."

BALCONY has in fact held public and private health care forums in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, White Plains, Nassau County and New York City all designed to provide a positive discourse on the Health Care needs of all New Yorkers," stated BALCONY co-chair Alan Lubin, formerly Executive VP of NYSUT.

"Our BALCONY concerns have focused on the affordability, availability, portability of health care benefits to business and recipients, insuring young adults and the provision of electronic medical records," stated BALCONY co-chair Bruce Ventimiglia, Chairman of Saratoga Capital Management.

We must repay our debt: NY Dem, GOP reps say stories of heroes should inspire passage of 9/11 bill

By Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Peter King

Last month, after years of effort, we finally secured a vote by the full House of Representatives on our legislation, which would provide medical monitoring, treatment and economic compensation for those injured or made sick by the toxic cloud that lingered for weeks following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Emotions ran high during the debate, and we were deeply disappointed that the bill did not achieve the two-thirds majority required for passage under "suspension of the rules," the parliamentary procedure that was used to bring the bill before the House.

AARP says Brand-Name Drug Prices Up 8% in 2009

by Duff Wilson

A new report on retail prices of brand-name drugs shows the 217 products most used by older Americans increased by an average of 8.3 percent during 2009, the largest increase in years, even as inflation was negative. Over the last five years, according to the report to be released on Wednesday by the senior lobby AARP, the retail prices for the most popular brand-name drugs increased 41.5 percent, while the consumer price index rose 13.3 percent. An AARP official called for measures to hold down drug prices.

BALCONY Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Social Security with Events in NYC

From Left to Right (Nancy True, Director, IBT-Local 30 Retirement Division, David B. Roosevelt, Congressman Charles Rangel; Birthday Cake for Social Security; Charles B. Roosevelt, Speaker of the NY City Council, Christine Quinn; Lou Gordon, Director, BALCONY, Bruce Ventimiglia, Co-Chair, BALCONY, Alan Lubin, Co-Chair, BALCONY) New York City (August 19^th, 2010) – Throughout the month of August, BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (www.balconynewyork.com), has worked with the New York State Office for the Aging, AARP, the New York State United Teachers, Hunter College’s Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, and many others to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of Social Security with events across New York State.

On Thursday, August 19^th, the Social Security Diamond Anniversary Committee, whose members include the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (BALCONY), AARP, the NYS Alliance for Retired Americans (NYSARA), Local 237/IBT/Retiree Division, Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP), the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and the Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. (IPR/HE), convened a series of Social Security birthday celebration events in New York City. The programs included brief speeches by beneficiaries, experts, relatives of the Roosevelt family, and elected officials, as well as entertainment, refreshments, and testimonials - as well as an evening panel moderated by journalist Jane Pauley.

The message of the day was clear: Social Security works for the nation and for the residents of every state and America cannot afford to cut it. Citing Social Security’s $2.6 trillion dollar surplus (projected to grow to $4.3 trillion by 2023) as well as the drastic consequences for beneficiaries were the program to be slashed or benefits reduced (without Social Security nearly half of seniors over 65 would sink below the poverty line) speakers argued that efforts in Washington to cut or privatize Social Security as a means to reduce the nation’s growing federal debt are essentially political posturing and unwarranted. The idea of raising the retirement age from 67 to 70 was universally rejected.

Social Security Works for New York

A report by Social Security Works and Strengthen Social Security

Debate rages in Washington about how to reduce our nation’s growing federal deficit, and pundits and politicians alike propose cutting Social Security. It doesn’t seem to matter that Social Security has not caused the federal deficit, and the program has a $2.6 trillion surplus today, which is projected to grow to $4.3 trillion by 2023.1 Nor does it seem to matter that the housing equity and retirement savings of many Americans collapsed during the nation’s Great Recession. Cutting Social Security’s protections – especially for middle‐aged and young workers – will undermine Social Security as a financial foundation, and often a financial lifeline. Read the full report by clicking here: SS Works

BALCONY Celebrates 75 Years of Social Security

New York City (August 19th, 2010) – Throughout the month of August, BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, has worked with the New York State Office for the Aging, AARP, the New York State United Teachers, Hunter College’s Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute, and many others to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Social Security with events across New York State.

Remarks of President Barack Obama on Social Security

Remarks of President Barack Obama As Prepared for Delivery August 14, 2010 Washington, DC

Seventy-five years ago today, in the midst of the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt signed Social Security into law, laying a cornerstone in the foundation of America’s middle class, and assuring generations of America’s seniors that after a lifetime of hard work, they’d have a chance to retire with dignity. We have an obligation to keep that promise; to safeguard Social Security for our seniors, people with disabilities, and all Americans – today, tomorrow, and forever.

by Paul Krugman

Social Security turned 75 last week. It should have been a joyous occasion, a time to celebrate a program that has brought dignity and decency to the lives of older Americans.

Report: 1.2M fewer uninsured in state

NEW YORK -- About 1.2 million New Yorkers will get health insurance under the federal health reform approved this year by Congress. About 1.4 million will remain uninsured, including 400,000 illegal immigrants, according to the report by the New York State Health Foundation. The report analyzes how health reform will affect New York and looks at the challenges of setting up health insurance exchanges and increasing primary care services to serve more people. The report also explores new payment methods the state could use to lower health care costs.

Copies of the report are available at http://www.nyshealthfoundation.org.

-- Cathleen F. Crowley

One Bridge Fixed…But our infrastructure needs new funding sources

By DENISE RICHARDSON
Managing Director of the General Contractors of New York

Whaddya know? You can get there from here.

Today, the new Willis Avenue Bridge is due to be eased into place, completing its carefully planned journey by barge to its permanent home. It will replace a structure built in 1901 and now one of the lowest-rated bridges in New York City.

The replacement arrived literally in the nick of time. More than 70,000 vehicles a day use the bridge, which has been past the point of no return for years.

Yet this is just one success story among a limitless need to replace and upgrade our transportation network. These days, it's all too common for infrastructure projects to be put on hold, delayed or cancelled.

BALCONY Announces 21 New Members Since January 2010

NEW YORK, NY (08/05/2010)-- BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York (www.balconynewyork.com), today, Wednesday, announced 21 new members since January 2010. The members of BALCONY include labor unions, businesses, trade associations, not-for-profits, and chambers of commerce.

New BALCONY Members Since January 2010:

Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, (www.rgvalf.org), MVP Health (www.mvphealthcare.com), Infrastructure USA (www.infrastructureusa.org), Northeast Securities (www.nesec.com), Concrete Alliance (www.theconcretealliance.com), Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. (www.tpna.com), Residential Home Funding (www.rhfunding.com), The Advance Group (www.theadvancegroup.com), Transparent Health Network (www.transparenthealthnetwork.com), Impact Plus, HAKS (www.haks.net), Content Critical (www.contentcritical.com), readMedia (www.readmedia.com), Life Line Screening (www.lifelinescreening.com), Entre Computer (www.entrecs.com), GSP Network (www.gspnetwork.com), JuniperHill (www.juniperhillam.com), OTG Management (www.otgmanagement.com), Pulse Marketing (www.pulsemarketinggroup.com), Belluck & Fox (www.belluckfox.com), and BMRx (www.bmr-inc.com)

NYSUT praises U.S. Senate on jobs bills; calls on Albany to act swiftly

ALBANY, N.Y. August 4, 2010 – New York State United Teachers today praised the U.S. Senate’s majority and the leadership of U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for a cloture vote that clears the way for imminent final passage of federal legislation that, by the time school starts in September, will likely mean a $1 billion swing in the fortunes of New York’s public schools.

The Health Care and Social Costs of the Uninsured in New York State

A Fiscal Policy Institute Report Prepared for BALCONY by

www.fiscalpolicy.org

December 2007

Click here for the report.

New York State Nurses Association condemns FMAP contingency plan

Latham, August 4, 2010 - The New York State Nurses Association condemns the legislature’s decision to pass the FMAP contingency plan. This plan, intended to offset a possible loss of Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage funding, will ultimately lead to unsustainable cuts to Medicaid and vital state-sponsored health programs.

125 Days Late, a State Budget with New Taxes

by Danny Hakim

ALBANY — Lawmakers completed one of the latest budgets in New York State history on Tuesday night, passing a last piece of legislation that will raise an additional $1 billion — in part by increasing taxes on the sale of clothing and on a variety of businesses.

Governor Paterson Proclaims August Social Security Anniversary Month, BALCONY to Co-Sponsor 75th Anniversary Celebration

Nyack Nurses Ratify Contract

Agreement maintains comparable health insurance for RNs

NYACK, NY, July 30, 2010 – Registered nurses who are members of the New York State Nurses Association yesterday voted to ratify a new three-year contract with Nyack Hospital. The agreement maintains comparable health insurance for the registered nurses, a key point of contention in negotiations which had been going on since last fall.

Carthage Area Hospital Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement

CARTHAGE, July 29, 2010 – New York State Nurses Association members at Carthage Area Hospital reached a tentative agreement for a new contract on July 27, just four days before their current contract would expire.

Layoff Threat Looms Anew

by Casey Seiler

ALBANY -- As the Legislature prepares to return to Albany, Gov. David Paterson issued some of his toughest words yet for lawmakers and another group he's been at odds with for months: state worker unions.

Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on Paterson’s threat of layoffs

Albany - It is unconscionable for the governor to continue scapegoating state employees and their families for the fiscal crisis or use them as pawns in his negotiations with the Legislature.

The governor was irresponsible in his remarks at an event today to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state work force when it is still unclear how many state employees will leave state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI).

Statement of PEF President Kenneth Brynien on renewed threat of layoffs

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, July 22, 2010

Albany - It is irresponsible for the Paterson administration to suggest the possibility of layoffs within the state workforce when it is still unclear how many state employees will be leaving state service through the early retirement incentive (ERI).

Love him or hate him, hard to ignore him

'Living wage' fight brings both positive and negative attention to retail union chief Stuart Appelbaum.

by Daniel Massey

He doesn't boast the money, members or political might of some of New York's heaviest hitters in labor, but these days retail union President Stuart Appelbaum is creating a ruckus that belies his organization's size.

Megna: Layoff planning starts next month

A top Paterson administration official said Wednesday that planning to lay off state workers — needed to realize $250 million in workforce savings counted in the budget — will begin in earnest next month.

Saratoga Advance Trust Technology & Communications Fund is Rated a 5 Star Fund By Morningstar

Don’t stumble in Race to the Top

By RICHARD C. IANNUZZI
First published in print: Monday, July 19, 2010

In the coming days, when U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan unveils the next round of Race to the Top finalists, the question of how to best measure teacher effectiveness will again make headlines.