Keeping prescription drugs affordable

The rising cost of prescription drugs is a hard pill to swallow for many New Yorkers who must choose between paying for the medicines they need to stay healthy and other daily necessities. To help make prescriptions more affordable, Paulin:

• Sponsored a measure increasing the income limits on the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program to $37,500 for singles and $65,000 for married couples (A.11399)
• Sponsored a measure giving the state power to negotiate fairer prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies through a buying pool. Public and private entities could join this block buying pool to purchase drugs at the lowest available price (A.11398)
• Sponsored a measure creating a cost comparison survey of the 25 most prescribed medications to help consumers find the lowest price (A.10991)

Promoting preventive health care

To ensure seniors receive preventive health care coverage, Paulin:

• Supported the Health Care Outreach program to enhance senior care. The program distributes information, releases public service announcements and establishes a toll-free telephone hotline to help seniors improve their health through education (A.4273; passed Assembly)
• Sponsored the Clean Indoor Air Act to bring Westchester’s law statewide to protect seniors from second-hand smoke in adult daycare centers, bingo halls, hospitals and residential health care facilities, mass transportation, restaurants and other locations (Ch. 13 of 2003)
• Supported legislation expanding crime victim awards to include financial counseling for telemarketing fraud to help victims restructure budgets and debt; access insurance, public assistance and other benefits; complete a financial impact statement for criminal or civil courts; and settle estates and handle guardianship concerns (Ch. 391 of 2003)

Protect yourself from identity theft

The best way to prevent misuse of your personal information is to keep it from getting into the wrong hands in the first place. These guidelines will help protect you from becoming a victim.

Guard your Social Security Number

Your Social Security Number provides access to your credit report, bank accounts and other information targeted by identity theft criminals.

• Do not carry your social security card with you, or print it on checks
• Shred old payroll and bank information, as well as credit card offers before you throw them out

Protect your credit information

• Contact the credit reporting bureaus and ask to have your information taken off their marketing lists (see list of credit bureaus on back panel)
• Never give your credit card number or other information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and trust the business
• Cancel unused credit cards and bank accounts
• Be sure any Internet sites you use to make purchases or conduct personal business use secure servers
• Resist the urge to click Internet pop-up ads and keep your antivirus software updated, as some ads and viruses can cause computers to be searched for credit information

Deal immediately with identity theft

If you discover that your personal information has been stolen, act quickly to prevent criminals from inflicting damage. The Federal

Trade Commission recommends you take the following three actions immediately:

Contact the credit bureaus

Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit reporting bureaus (see back panel) and ask them to flag your file with a fraud alert and notify your creditors.

Protect your accounts

Contact the security or fraud departments of your creditors or any accounts that may have been tampered with. Ask them to get permission in writing from you before approving any new activity on your accounts.

Call the police

File a report with the local police where you believe the theft to have taken place. Keep a copy of the report in case your creditors request proof of the crime.