Seniors are being squeezed. Who’s got our back?
Staten Island: I am an 80-year-old senior who can’t understand what is happening in today’s government, which gives and takes with the same hand — a government not keeping its eyes on what’s going on, or why more and more of us are going to food sources other than the grocery store.
The price of eggs is out of my budget, same with a lot of other products. That’s bad, but it’s just the beginning. Now we have to apply for new Medicare protection for the new year and find out that each policy we are inquiring about has premiums from $25 to $28 a month — surprise; I never had that before.
We are told in the newspapers and in the TV news that seniors are going to get a cost-of-living raise. What good is it if, at the same time, Medicare expenses are also being increased, which comes directly out of my Social Security check? I don’t even see this raise before it’s already been taken. On top of this, we have to encounter issues with medicine. Some medications are in groups according to what they are and what they cost. It seems that the more you need it, the higher it costs. Too bad if you’re a diabetic and go to pick up your medication, but it’s not in and you have to wait, which is not a thing you can do. But while you’re having the conversation, another person steps up for a pickup and asks for the same medication (I’ve heard) and was not a diabetic.
Not acceptable. Please, seniors are not wealthy people. Help. Dorothy Doyle
Action on Alzheimer’s
Los Angeles: I read with interest Charles Fuschillo’s essay “Pushing back the shadow of Alzheimer’s disease” (op-ed, Dec. 26). As a neurologist dedicated to fighting this creeping, still-mysterious malady, I agree with his call to action and am similarly optimistic that top Trump administration officials who’ve had personal experiences with it will fight hard. Several small but important steps have been taken recently. In 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a voluntary, nationwide test that aims to support people with dementia and unpaid caregivers. This includes a 24/7 telephone support line and specialized caregiver training. Congress enacted the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, which empowers the CDC to create strong public health infrastructure to support and promote dementia risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis, prevention of avoidable hospitalizations and dementia caregiving. And there’s new Medicare insurance coverage of amyloid PET scans for those over 65 to assist in diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Keith Vossel, UCLA
Seizing on a tragedy
Monroe, N.J.: With the tragedy of New Orleans two days into the new year, politics have already begun. Hearings are being demanded, and at an early press conference, Sen. John Kennedy blustered numerous times that we must know the truth, implying a coverup. Demands have been made for leaders of the FBI and Homeland Security to appear before Congress, only to point fingers and arouse political suspicions. These political witch hunts are demanded without compassion for victims, their families and the citizens of New Orleans; all this bravado when investigations are still ongoing and families are grieving. I suppose this is the game plan for the next four years — blame others for anything to appear powerful and in charge of it all. Katherine A. Moloney
Cheap shot
Hammonton, N.J.: Only two days into the new year and the Daily News Editorial Board already used the attack in New Orleans to beat up on Trump FBI nominee Kash Patel (“Keep the FBI on terror guard,” editorial, Jan. 2). It’s easy to call the man unfit and dangerous. It would be impressive if the editors could explain how Patel is unfit and dangerous, other than that he supports Trump. William Cook
Ignorance always
Brooklyn: Re “Don rips ‘Islamic terrorism, open borders’ after N. Orleans horror” (Jan. 3): Trump spewing ignorant nonsense, lying and making things up out of whole cloth is shocking, simply shocking. How can anyone not believe this vitriol will be his enduring legacy? Herman Kolender
He elicits it
Flushing: When I first read Voicer David Kalin’s letter I’ll admit that my first reaction was to respond as Dick Cheney did to Sen. Pat Leahy on the floor of the Senate 20 years ago (look it up). Granted, I suppose bleeding-heart, woke — blah, blah, blah — liberals like me really should move on and find ways to deal with the chaos the second President Trump is already promising to become (hello Elon Musk vs. the MAGA base on H-1B visas). But if we do, where will you get the fix of liberal tears you are clearly still jonesing for? Because Trump won’t deliver anything else. Clyde Kerlew
Flaws embodied
Floral Park: To all those who voted for Trump, I need to ask: Will you encourage yourselves, your children and your grandchildren to follow his ways? Lying, cheating, breaking the law, putting people down and narcissism. What a fine example he shows to young Americans. I wonder how the rest of the world views our choice. Pat Ryan
Behind bars
Longmont, Colo.: In a recent editorial regarding Matt Gaetz (“The Matt Gaetz facts,” Dec. 27), the Daily News opined the following: “Now, he’s at least where he belongs: a third-rate talk show host on a low-rated cable channel peddling conspiracies.” I disagree. Gaetz, who allegedly committed statutory rape, belongs in jail. Why isn’t he? Bob D’Alessandro
War financier
Maspeth: President Biden’s legacy: Gaza genocide — starvation as a weapon of war and daily school and hospital bombings. Ukraine killing fields — 1.5 million Russians and Ukrainians dead and half a million crippled. Biden’s last straw: another $6 billion of military aid and a proposal to drop Ukraine’s draft age from 25 to 18, which Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected as lunacy. Maybe, as Pope Francis proposed, ceasefire and peace negotiations now. Wes Warchol
Cheapened raids
Toms River, N.J.: I have to laugh every time I read of raids on counterfeit goods vendors as “protection of the public.” Nobody who buys a $50 luxury watch or handbag believes they are buying a real product. They are people who can’t afford the actual price and are willing to using the imitation for whatever reason. The only beneficiaries of these shutdowns are the manufacturers of the real brands, who wouldn’t get business from these people anyway. I bought a $25 “luxury” watch 40 years ago and it still works. If the police assigned to these raids really want to protect the public, they should be assigned to work on subways, where they are obviously needed. Ron Palazzo
Treat it early
Manhattan: N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James is spot-on with her assessments and calls to action (“N.Y. must lead the way on mental health in 2025,” op-ed, Jan. 1). And, if we want to stem the growing pipeline of people who need intensive care for serious psychiatric issues, we should invest upstream by ensuring that young people and their families get the support they need. More youth are showing signs of serious mental health challenges. We see these young people in our residential and foster care programs, where they are sent when living at home is not safe for them or their families. We need to invest more in supporting these young people and their families because the people who wind up on the streets and in our hospitals and jails were once young people who did not get the support they needed, and when treatment is most likely to work. Ronald E. Richter, CEO and executive director, JCCA
Under the radar
Punta Gorda, Fla.: There is a simple way to beat the unwarranted and discriminatory tax called congestion pricing. That is to place a clear Fresnel lens cover over your license plates. A police officer can easily read the number from behind or in front of your vehicle, but an elevated camera can’t! Such plate covers are inexpensive and can be purchased online. No one I know who has used one has ever received a toll bill from any state where they were used! Folks need to strike back at tax-happy bureaucrats! Harvey Goldstein