PAGE A8 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • MARCH 05, 2020
Perspective
Exposing Lee Zeldin’s Record on Health Care Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY1) is a master at telling half-truths. He goes to great lengths to tell his constituents that he supports health care coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and lowering prescription drug prices, but his voting record says differently. Zeldin voted against coverage for pre-existing conditions, and just recently, shot down a bill for prescription drug coverage reform and prescription drug coverage reform. He even has the audacity to take credit for programs he voted against. A quick look at his record, however, is quite revealing. Zeldin voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He has cast several such votes in his three terms in office, most recently May 2017 (and he openly urges the courts to overturn the ACA now). The federal requirement to provide coverage for people with pre-existing conditions comes directly from the ACA, so Zeldin’s opposition to coverage for pre-existing conditions is right there in his votes. Zeldin and President Donald Trump (R) claim to offer ACA replacement legislation that provides for pre-existing condition coverage, but these bills do not protect consumers, especially those with pre-existing conditions. They provide no
requirement that these individuals will not be “newsletter” stated that he secured $3 million penalized in pricing and availability of coverage. of new National Institutes of Health grants to When Congress, in Dec. 2019, passed its bill Stony Brook for medical research, and he cites a bipartisan letter he signed to make prescription drugs more requesting a budget increase affordable, Zeldin voted against specifically for NIH research. the bill (HR-3). His position What Zeldin does not tell you on this critical issue is again is that when the actual budget demonstrated by his vote. The came to a vote on July 25, only effective way to control 2019, he voted against it. His the cost of prescription drugs own voting record proves that is to let Medicare, the largest Zeldin did not vote to increase consumer, negotiate drug prices NIH appropriations, or increased directly with the manufacturers. funding for Stony Brook. It’s no surprise that Zeldin But Zeldin’s biggest continues to prohibit Medicare deception of all is that he is from negotiating because much has listened and knows what of his campaign contributions By Perry Gershon his constituents need for their comes from drug makers and health care. Again, the facts their affiliates. This isn’t me saying this, it’s right there in his campaign belie that. Zeldin’s last public town hall was in finance reports that he is legally obligated to file April 2017, before his vote to repeal the ACA. with the Federal Election Commission. Given He has not held one since then. He has no idea Zeldin’s benefactors, it’s no wonder he opposes what his constituents want or need! Town halls are meant to be open to all true prescription price reforms. Zeldin takes credit for funding medical constituents who want to attend. There should be research at Stony Brook. His most recent February no prescreening of questions or questioners (to
exclude critics) or else it is not really a true town hall. I know this from first-hand experience. I have held five open town halls since last September, and I will hold five more before the end of June. I take questions from Democrats, Republicans — whoever attends and wants to ask a question. As a matter of fact, I take each and every question asked of me and I give truthful, fact-based answers. There is no prescreening and no spin at my town halls. People on Long Island deserve a representative who will listen to them when they speak out about health care. I want to see universal health care for everyone — and I believe we can do it with the ACA supercharged with a public option. We need to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices to achieve true pricing reforms. This November, we have a chance to give NY-1 a representative who will fight for us in Washington and tell us the truth here at home. Perry Gershon is a national commentator on business, trade, policy and politics. A congressional candidate for New York’s 1st District, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale and a master’s in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2020-2021 School Year The Three Village Central School District offers a full-day kindergarten program for district residents. In order to be admitted to Kindergarten in September, a child must be five years of age, on or before December 1st, during the school year in which they enter kindergarten. A proof of residency (a lease, deed, tax bill or signed contract) must be provided, along with the child’s original birth certificate, and a copy of their immunization records at the time of registration. Registration occurs Monday -Thursday at the Central Registration Office at the North Country Administration Center (100 Suffolk Avenue, Stony Brook) from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Children must be registered with the Registrar’s Office at the North Country Administration Center prior to Kindergarten screening. For more information about the registration process and the immunizations required, please visit the district website at www.threevillagecsd.org. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Registrar’s office at 631–730–4555.
This year’s Kindergarten Screening dates are: ARROWHEAD: May 13, May 14, May 15, 2020 MINNESAUKE: May 12, May 13, May 14, 2020 MOUNT: May 18, May 19, May 20, 2020 NASSAKEAG: May 18, May 19, May 20, 2020 SETAUKET: May 11, May 12, May 13, 2020 ©160702
