Righteous legislation

To the editor:

Richard Warren’s recent letter contains reasonable points to ponder; however, he stops short of the very real problem, that is the City Council as it stands today and which explains why this four-plus years fight to protect the health and well-being of retirees and then, by extension active municipal employees down the line, remains an ongoing one (“A fine mess,” The Chief, Nov. 21).

Unfortunately, what all NYC Seniors need is for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (and the many Council members aligned with her) to back up the many easy displays of "senior celebration" (on FB pages, all social media, in print, video and photos) which they are all so very fond of displaying, with actual action that makes a real and meaningful difference in the lives of seniors.

There is no question that traditional Medicare stands head and shoulders above all other health plans. And coupled with a quality secondary insurance, virtually unbeatable. Full stop.

Yet Adams refuses to do the right thing to truly demonstrate respect for the elders she and all of Council are or will be. She refuses to bring Intro 1096 to a hearing and allow discussion. And likely, consequently, Council members withhold signatures even as they may have provided them previously.

All the senior lunches, community center openings, awards from seniors associations that all of Council feel pass muster mean nothing to people, especially seniors, without the protection of the health of and excellent medical coverage that comes from self-determining care decisions in conjunction with medical provider autonomy. This is providing for the people they say they respect but really, so far, only selectively indulge.

Intro 1096 hinders no one; it is nondiscriminatory, non-denominational; without regard to geography, political viewpoints and campaign funding. Nor does it prevent choice of plans. What it does do, at its core, is prevent the absence of traditional Medicare in the NYC landscape for all and, for NYC public service retirees, ensures, as promised under contracts in effect when we retired, our Medigap plan.

Intro 1096 is a city code legislation that truly demonstrates care and respect and honor for the Senior population. The legislation is righteous, just and should be passed. Civic duty should outshine politically driven obligations or fear. Every time. Full stop.

The time is right to do right by us and we have waited long enough.

Diana Martone