Dear Constituent:

Please join me for coffee and bagels and talk about long-term health care at a public forum on Thursday, July 21st, 9:00 a.m., at Cortlandt Town Hall, 1 Heady Street, Cortlandt Manor. After experiencing serious health care issues in my own family, I purchased long-term health care insurance to protect my loved ones from economic harm. This type of insurance is offered by the New York State Partnership For Long-Term Care, which is a public/private endeavor between the state and private insurers. At my July forum, the Partnership will announce three new policies to be available this Fall for those in the lower, middle, and upper income brackets. These insurance plans protect your assets, pay for home health aides and nursing home care, and have state tax incentives. The Partnership plans are a way for the state to reduce its Medicaid costs, which make up some 40% of New York’s budget.

We also will talk about taking charge of our medical treatment in our final hours. The controversy over the Terri Schiavo case, when the courts and government intervened at the end of her life, point out how important it is to clearly state our desires in writing. As New Yorkers, we should have both a living will and health care proxy so that we decide what our final care will be.

Other topics to be discussed at the forum include the rights of those in assisted living and nursing homes. We need to know our patient rights and how to exercise them to get the best care possible for ourselves, friends, and family. Finally, speakers from The Hudson Valley Hospital Center will discuss the latest treatments to reverse strokes and alleviate disabling headaches.

Call my local office at 914-941-1111 with questions or for directions. See you in July.