Assemblyman Michael Cohen with Chief of Staff Dolores Capace.

"Thank You Assemblyman Cohen"

A continuing theme that has emerged in my office over the past six months has been a universal respect and gratitude for the work done by my predecessor Michael Cohen. Appreciative constituents frequently call or visit my office to send their best wishes to Assemblyman Cohen and the members of his staff.

In addition to distinguishing himself in the legislature, Assemblyman Cohen proved to be an outspoken and effective community leader. I continue to aspire to represent the 28th Assembly District as ably as he did. On behalf of myself, my staff and all the residents of our community, I wish to thank Michael Cohen, Dolores Capace and their team for their service to our district. It is truly appreciated.

In November of 2003, Congress enacted the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act. This law is the most significant change imposed on Medicare since its inception in 1965. It adds new outpatient prescription drug coverage, meaning all those covered by Medicare will now have access to insurance coverage for their prescriptions. The Medicare prescription drug coverage will begin on January 1st, 2006, and will replace the existing Medicare approved drug discount card, which will be completely phased out by May 15, 2006.

Everyone enrolled in Medicare before January 1, 2006 is eligible to receive the benefits of the new drug coverage regardless of income, drug expenses, or pre-existing medical conditions. If you currently have coverage from another provider, your current drug coverage provider will send you information to inform you of how your current coverage compares to the Medicare drug program.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage program premiums differ by plan, though the average cost is thirty-two dollars a month. You will most likely also be required to pay the first $250 of your prescription costs per year. After that, Medicare will cover 75% of your drug costs up to a total of $2,250 a year. Above $2,250, beneficiaries are responsible for all prescription drug costs up to $5,100. Above this amount Medicare will now cover 95% of all remaining costs.

Extra help is available to offset out-of-pocket costs of this prescription program under certain circumstances. If your annual income is below $14,355 for a single person or below $19,245 for a couple, and if your assets — which include stock and savings, but not the value of your home — are under $11,500 for a single person or $23,000 for a couple, you qualify for further assistance. Some people who qualify for this extra assistance will receive a letter from the government. If you feel that you do meet these requirements but do not receive a letter, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to verify that you are eligible for extra help. TTY callers may dial 1-800-325-0778. Please be sure to have your social security number at hand. You can also visit their website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ .

Also starting in 2006, all those who have drug coverage through Medicaid will be covered by the Medicare prescription drug plan, and will be able to retain all other Medicaid benefits.

From November 15 through December 31, 2005, those joining, as well as existing members of, the Medicare system will be able to select the drug program they wish to join. You will have at least two plans to choose from in your area. Each plan offers different coverage. If you do not select a plan, Medicare will choose one for you in your area.

For more information about the Medicare prescription drug coverage program, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. You can also visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call my office at (718) 263-5595.

New York’s benefit program is structured in such a way that higher benefits are provided to those households that have a large percentage of their income dedicated to energy costs, contain a vulnerable individual or have the lowest income.

To qualify for assistance, you must meet several criteria. First, you must meet the income requirement and be either 60 or older, be a head of household receiving social security disability or live either alone or with a spouse and receive SSI code A. You must also live in an eligible housing situation. This generally means that you either pay directly for heating costs or must pay rent with heating costs included. If you live in subsidized housing, you must pay heating costs separately from your rent. Individual applicants must also be U.S. citizens or qualified aliens.

Eligible households that pay directly for heat receive a benefit amount ranging from $150 to $400, and eligible households that do not pay directly for heat receive a standard statewide benefit of either $40 or $50, depending on income level.

Those eligible for benefits must apply using a special HEAP application available in our district office. Please contact Roman Paprocki at (718) 263-5595 and apply immediately.

In June, Assemblyman Hevesi joined the Chabad of Rego Park, members of the Jewish community of Queens, and other community leaders in dedicating a new Torah for the Chabad congregation of Rego Park and Forest Hills. The dedication of a Sefer Torah (literally translated “a book of the Torah”) is the culmination of the long and difficult process of the writing by hand of the entire five books of Moses in Hebrew on a long, single sheet of attached pieces of parchment. Any error in the writing would render the Torah unusable, and therefore, the completion of a Sefer Torah is always a monumental event.

Assemblyman Hevesi has always felt that strengthening community values is of the greatest importance. The dedication of the new Sefer Torah by Chabad of Rego Park is a very positive way to bring a congregation together and strengthen community institutions.