In a letter to Amex Chairman and CEO Kenneth Chenault, co-signed by a dozen state and local officials, the Assemblyman wrote, “The notion that a well-regarded financial entity like American Express conducts business with someone of Irving’s ilk is absolutely astounding. By processing charges for tickets to Mr. Irving’s United States tour, as well as for his publications, your company is sanctioning his repugnant message.”
Among Irving’s outrageous claims is that people pretend to be Holocaust survivors because “there’s money involved and they can get a good compensation cash payment out of it.”
In response to Assemblyman Hikind’s letter, American Express announced that David Irving’s account had been revoked effective immediately.
“We applaud American Express for doing the right thing,” the Assemblyman declared. “Let this be a lesson to all of us to remain vigilant against hate-mongers like Irving.”
Authorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed at the end of the summer that the H1N1 virus had infected more than one million Americans, with certain groups considered to be at risk of serious complications, including those 65 years and older, children under five years of age, pregnant women, and anyone with certain chronic medical conditions.
“Considering the speculation and fear surrounding the H1N1 virus, it is important for the public to be informed and aware of what measures need to be taken to prevent the spread of this illness. Without the facts, misinformation may prove to be as dangerous as the virus itself,” the Assemblyman said.
The medical experts who participated in the forum were Dr. Stuart Ditchek, renowned pediatrician, author, and professor of medicine, and Mr. Michael A. Congo, MPH, Certified Health Education Specialist with the New York City Department of Health.
New Booster Seat Law
As of November 24, 2009, New York State law requires children under 8 to be in a booster seat when riding in a motor vehicle. Previously, booster seats were required for children ages 4-6.
Most 7 year olds, however, are not big enough to be adequately secured by a vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt, which are designed to fit adults, not children. Consequently, children who use only seat belts, rather than booster or child-safety seats, are more likely to suffer life-threatening injuries in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, booster seats reduce injury risk by 59 percent compared to children who use only seat belts.
“The road is unpredictable and can present unexpected dangers,” Assemblyman Hikind commented. “Booster seats give our children the support and protection they need to help them stay safe. It can mean the difference between life and death.”
Texting While Driving Ban
As of November 1, 2009, New York State drivers are prohibited from composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving or retrieving e-mail, text messages or other electronic data while driving. Motorists found in violation could face a maximum fine of $150. Fines are allowed to be imposed only as a secondary offense, when the driver is pulled over for a violation of another law.
A personal visit confirmed that conditions were indeed unbearable and needed to be corrected. A determination was reached that the only viable solution would be a trash compactor.
Following over two years of meetings, discussions, correspondence, and negotiations with officials from P.S. 180, the Department of Education, the Department of Sanitation, as well as the Mayor’s office, a compactor was finally approved and installed this past summer. The quality of life along 56th Street is now greatly improved.
Assemblyman Hikind expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of all involved, including P.S. 180 principal Gary Williams, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, and the residents themselves who refused to give up.
Expanding COBRA
Under a new COBRA law, laid-off New Yorkers can continue to purchase health insurance from their former employer’s plan for 36 months – up from 18 months. Without COBRA, buying insurance on the open market would cost over twice as much.
Additionally, New Yorkers who lost their job between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, may be eligible for a 65% subsidy in COBRA premiums for nine months
Extending Health Coverage
Starting September 1, 2009, New York parents can cover unmarried children up to age 29 who aren’t eligible for Medicare or employer-provided coverage. Previously, coverage ended at age 19 or when the child, up to age 23, graduated from college. In some rare cases college students were covered up to age 25.
Under the new law, families, rather than the employer, may have to pay the premiums, but the rates are cheaper than an individual plan. These young adults who were dropped from their family insurance plans account for 31 percent of uninsured New Yorkers.
Providing More Health Care Consumer Rights
The new protections will prohibit insurers from treating an in-network provider as out-of-network just because the referring provider was out-of-network; require that consumers in “HMO look-alike” plans receive certain health maintenance organization protections; require insurers to quickly review post-hospital home health care requests and cover services until a coverage decision is made; and provide consumers with rare diseases with the right to an external appeals process.