Senior
Spotlight
By John Toscano

Gianaris recently discussed senior programs with members of the HANAC Senior Center in Astoria.

Gianaris Backs EPIC Eligibility Improvement

In order to tighten eligibility for the EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) drug discount program for seniors, a bill has been introduced in the state legislature to allow recipients to continue to qualify for the program even if a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) pushes their income over the eligibility level.

Announcing support for the measure, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) stated: "Seniors should not be punished simply because of a minimal increase in their pension or Social Security benefits. This bill ensures that seniors already enrolled in EPIC would remain eligible."

In addition to supporting this change to protect some seniors’ EPIC eligibility, Gianaris said he had voted recently for an increase in funding for other senior programs that amounted to more than $21 million. The additional funds went to the Elder Abuse and Outreach Services program and to the Long Term Care Ombudsman program, which protects the rights of elderly nursing home residents, Gianaris said.

"One of my top priorities is to provide practical policies and efficient services for the more than three million seniors living in New York," he added.

The additional $21 million approved also covers the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), CSE (Community Services for the Elderly) and EISEP (Expanded-in-Home Services for the Elderly Program).

NYCERS NOT NICE: The Veterans Action Committee (VAC) is taking issue with the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) because it has set up a huge stumbling block for veterans who might want to buy back pension credits to improve their eventual retirement benefits.

Last year, a law was passed, allowing state and city employees who are wartime or military conflict veterans from World War II to the present Mid-East engagements to buy back up to three years of earned pension credit for time served in the military. But while the state pension system is allowing the buy-back credit to be paid by a 3 percent payroll deduction, NYCERS is asking for a costly lump-sum payment within 60 days of the determination of an individual’s eligibility for the buy-back.

According to Lee Covino, a Vietnam veteran and a co-founder of the Veterans Action Coalition, "For some city workers in the higher salary ranges, we’re talking as much as $9,000, $10,000 cash. It’s not right." He said this would require an applicant to take out a loan or deplete his or her savings.

NYCERS says it imposed the lump sum payment because its computers can’t handle the additional payroll deduction. Covino says if that’s the case, NYCERS should hold in abeyance any applications already granted until the computer glitch is worked out, not deny them, and ask that those applications be submitted again in the future.

VAC officials said anyone caught up in this snafu, which has hit only those in the city pension system, to contact VAC’s website at http:// community.silive.com/ cc/VAC 89, or write to VAC, Inc, 3250 Richmond Ave., Staten Island, NY 10312.

RX SAFETY: United States Senator Charles Schumer (D–New York) says that 100,000 deaths occur nationwide each year because of errors on prescriptions which doctors write for pharmacists to fill. that’s simply unacceptable, he says, and he’s inserted a $335 million program in a bill he introduced to cover a five-year period.

The legislation will help produce computer information systems to help hospitals fill prescriptions, screen for drug interaction and record medical histories. By being compelled to request a prescription by computer, Schumer feels, doctors will avoid errors caused by bad handwriting, poor fax transmissions and misplaced decimal points. Sounds like a wise idea.

MEETING: Mike McClellan and his orchestra will entertain at next Wednesday’s meeting of AARP Chapter number 991 in Jackson Heights. The meeting is at 1 p.m. at the Community United Methodist Church, 81-10 35th Ave., Jackson Heights.