How To Vote In A Primary Election In New York

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1 2007 AARP Voters Guide New York State Assembly, District 61 How to use the AARP Voters Guide: Here s how this Voters Guide works. AARP asked key questions about issues important to our members and their families of each major candidate for this race. Each candidate was allowed up to 125 words to answer each question. AARP did not edit or modify those answers. The candidates were asked to check the support or oppose circles. The candidates may have chosen not to check a circle. In addition, AARP has provided a summary of our position for each of the issues. Pass this guide on to friends and family. Share your views with the candidates. Ask for clarification from any candidate whose answer seems unclear. Be sure to vote on March 27. Inside: Cell Phones 2 Long-Term Care 4 Prescription Drugs 6 Property Taxes 8

2 Cell Phones Do you support or oppose a state law that would provide consumer protections and information disclosure for cell phone users? AARP s Position: Kelvin Alexander (I): Rose Margarella (R) (C): Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities. Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing AARP surveys have shown that cell phone users age 65 and older purchase cell phones for security in case of an emergency. AARP supports state legislation to provide more information and consumer protections for cell phone customers. AARP believes cell phone companies should: disclose all fees, surcharges and the total cost of the service before a customer signs a contract; allow consumers to cancel their contract within 15 days of receiving their first bill without penalty; and provide detailed coverage maps of where the phone will work and where the phone has enhanced 911 capabilities. As older New Yorkers increasingly buy cell phones for safety and security reasons, AARP advocates for legislation to provide consumers with the information needed to make an informed purchase. The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide and did not respond by the printing deadline. The Universal 911 System enhancements MUST be better publicized so every Senior Citizen knows that help is available almost anywhere at any time by cellular phone. Cell phone companies should collect used phones and give them to senior citizens for Free so they can reach help using universal 911 system that the cell phone taxes fund. Senior Citizens must be allowed to cancel their cell phone contract without penalty after receiving their first bill and seeing the extra charges that are rarely explained during the sales presentations. Seniors should also be made aware that they can keep the free-phones and have 24/7 access to the 911 Emergency System! Seniors and all consumers must enjoy fulldisclosure of phone costs even if it is by legislative action. 2 New York State Assembly, District 61

3 Cell Phones Do you support or oppose a state law that would provide consumer protections and information disclosure for cell phone users? Matthew Titone (D) (W): Contract cancellation 15 days after first month s bill without penalty Disclosure of cell phone s enhanced 911 capabilities Disclosure of all costs and estimated bill prior to contract signing The candidate chose not to make additional comments. 3 New York State Assembly, District 61

4 Long-Term Care Do you support making the long-term care system in New York more responsive to the preferences of New Yorkers to remain in their homes as long as possible? AARP s Position: Kelvin Alexander (I): Rose Margarella (R) (C): A shared approach to providing health care coverage. A shared approach to providing health care coverage. A shared approach to providing health care coverage. The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid The providing of services to family caregivers The providing of services to family caregivers The providing of services to family caregivers The need for long-term care services is likely to increase in coming years as New Yorkers age. Unfortunately, our nation lacks a comprehensive longterm care system to serve our growing older and disabled population. Longterm care services today are generally uncoordinated, fragmented, and costly. In New York, long-term care services and funding are heavily focused on nursing home and other institutional care settings. AARP supports reforms to the long-term care system that promote consumer independence, allow individuals to remain in their homes by receiving home care services or in home like settings such as assisted living as long as possible, permit consumer choice to the maximum extent possible, and maintain a strong role for government in protecting the health and safety of consumers receiving long-term care services. The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide and did not respond by the printing deadline. Senior Citizens that require long-term care must be able to remain in their homes if they choose to. Professional home-care service subsidies, familyassistants subsidies, and real estate tax reductions must be made available to the patient and to their caregiver to preserve the dignity and tranquility of the elderly patient. Medicaid must continue to provide access to services for the home bound senior citizen and is perhaps the best vehicle to administrate the aid and to assist the family care-giver economically with mortgage assistance or tax deductions, and other entitlement programs. When the family and the Senior Citizen are willing the use of the family home should be made affordable, comfortable and practical for the Senior s Golden Years. New York State Assembly, District 61 4

5 Long-Term Care Do you support making the long-term care system in New York more responsive to the preferences of New Yorkers to remain in their homes as long as possible? Matthew Titone (D) (W): A shared approach to providing health care coverage. The preservation of access to affordable long-term care services under Medicaid The providing of services to family caregivers The candidate chose not to make additional comments. New York State Assembly, District 61 5

6 Prescription Drug Affordability What efforts do you support to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to New Yorkers? AARP s Position: Kelvin Alexander (I): Rose Margarella (R) (C): New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices While the costs of prescription drugs continue to skyrocket, AARP is fighting to make them more accessible and affordable. AARP continues to support the state s pharmaceutical assistance program - EPIC. AARP supports allowing the state to bulk purchase prescription drugs, reducing costs to the state, and providing discounts to those with no or incomplete prescription drug coverage. AARP supports reforming drug industry sales practices. AARP believes drug companies should report what gifts they are giving to doctors and also supports banning the sale of prescription drug data that identifies physicians and the drugs they prescribe to their patients. Both these practices are frequently used to convince doctors to prescribe new, high cost brand name drugs when just as effective but less expensive drugs may be available. The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide and did not respond by the printing deadline. Programs like the EPIC assistance program must be protected and expanded. Senior Citizens must not be forced into ill health because they can t afford to buy the drugs that this country researched and developed with tax subsidies. State run programs must be allowed to purchase pharmaceuticals in bulk for their subscribers. Our Senior Citizens, the people who built this country, must NOT be forced to buy their prescriptions from other countries that do not have the same quality controls as those in the U.S.A. Drug companies must be made to report gifts to doctors and they must not be permitted to track the prescription practices of physicians to manipulate the doctors into using their products. 6 New York State Assembly, District 61

7 Prescription Drug Affordability What efforts do you support to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to New Yorkers? Matthew Titone (D) (W): New York State bulk purchasing of prescription drugs Reporting of drug company gifts to doctors. A ban on the sale of doctor s prescribing practices The candidate chose not to make additional comments. 7 New York State Assembly, District 61

8 Property Taxes What efforts do you support to alleviate property tax burdens? AARP s Position: Kelvin Alexander (I): Rose Margarella (R) (C): Property tax relief to protect loss of home Property tax relief to protect loss of home Property tax relief to protect loss of home Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay Property taxes are the single most burdensome tax for many low-income and older people, affecting them directly as homeowners and indirectly as renters. AARP supports broad tax reform that would help reduce reliance on property taxes and shift it to other revenue sources. AARP also supports policy changes, such as STAR, Enhanced STAR and property tax deferral, to further alleviate property tax burdens that directly impact people s ability to remain in their homes. The candidate was invited to participate in this voter guide and did not respond by the printing deadline. Our Senior Citizens must never lose their home to the State due to excessive real estate tax rates. Mechanisms like sliding tax scales and income-based real estate tax formulas must be instituted as soon as possible to protect our Senior Citizens from the risk of losing their homes to burdensome State levies on their residence. New York State Assembly, District 61 8

9 Property Taxes What efforts do you support to alleviate property tax burdens? Matthew Titone (D) (W): Property tax relief to protect loss of home Linking property taxes to owners ability to pay The candidate chose not to make additional comments. New York State Assembly, District 61 9

10 AARP is making a difference whether it s fighting for affordable health care or working to ensure retirement security for all Americans. But we can t do it without you. Sign up for free updates and action alerts from AARP. We ll keep you informed about what s really going on in the White House, Congress, and your state legislature. Visit or fill out the form below. Thank you for participating in the AARP 2007 Election Project! FIRST NAME INITIAL LAST NAME ADDRESS APT. # CITY STATE ZIP CODE (for example: your @provider.com) PHONE NUMBER Please mail form to: AARP 2007 Special Election Project AARP New York One Commerce Plaza, Suite 706 Albany, NY Visit About the AARP 2007 Election Project: AARP has launched the non-partisan 2007 Election Project, and with your help we can make sure our voices are heard in We don t endorse any specific candidate or party. We just care about issues and with your help we ll make sure candidates take clear stands on the issues so people can make choices that reflect what s important to them. Visit

11 AARP is nonpartisan and does not own a political action committee (PAC), endorse political candidates, or contribute money to political parties or political candidates campaigns. AARP educates the public about issues of concern to older Americans and their families through voter guides, issue workshops, and candidate forums. For more information contact: AARP New York One Commerce Plaza, Suite 706 Albany, NY (866)