Responding to members' complaints and needs, the Massapequa Chapter of AARP is circulating petitions calling for the end of "selectively charging Nassau and Suffolk seniors outlandish premiums for what was supposed to be Medicare + Choice 'no premium' HMO medical coverage."

Copies of these petitions containing hundreds of signatures were recently delivered to representatives, President Bush, Senators Clinton and Schumer, Congressmen King of Massapequa and Israel of Huntington. Many more have been received from local AARP groups and senior citizens centers.

Because of poorly designed formulas, many HMOs left areas like Nassau and Suffolk, and as of Jan. 1, 2002, Medicare recipients of these areas are no longer able to take advantage of "no premium" HMO coverage. Thousands of seniors had to scramble to join remaining HMO plans, costing unconscionable high fees, with poor prescription drug coverage. The alternative is to revert to Medicare coverage that does not include prescription drugs and other essential benefits. Other seniors who live in Brooklyn and Queens still have the original HMO "no premium" coverage.

Robert Thompson, president of the Massapequa AARP said, "This discrimination is unconscionable. Nassau and Suffolk Counties are two of the five worst affected by HMO dropouts across the country, where more than 11 million seniors lost their coverage. We are enlisting support of local AARP Chapters whose members also suffer from similar discrimination."

"We are pleased to note that a group of Suffolk Senior Activists are also taking a leadership position, trying to resolve this inequity," said Lorraine Brooks, legislative chairperson of the Massapequa Chapter of AARP. "The deliberate inaction of our legislators caused this injustice to continue and the risks and cost have led to potential life and death decisions for many."

A bill sponsored by US Senator Chuck Schumer and US Congressman Steve Israel in the 2002 session of congress would have expanded the "no premium" HMO medical coverage for Nassau and Suffolk seniors, as well as those across the country. The bill did not pass due to legislative inaction.

"Seniors in Nassau should not be abandoned just because it is cheaper for HMOs to provide coverage in other places," said Schumer. "Coverage should be equal for seniors everywhere."

"It is imperative that the Schumer/Israel Bill (formally UR4954) be reintroduced, passed and signed by President Bush. We expect meaningful action soon or this will be a key election issue in the future," said Brooks. "We will follow this closely," she continued, as the result of this legislation is of extreme importance to all seniors in our country."

Massapequa AARP Chapter #4727