Future of the county's health

Now that Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has let us all know the identity of the HMO that would buy Suffolk's health plan, the county legislature will have to scrutinize this proposal microscopically.

[jimmy joe]

sounds like the legislature let itself get boxed in on this one. levy couldn't resist taping into the reserve funds to avoid a tax increase. in his zeal to give the appearance of being a fiscal conservative he is eroding important county services while promoting costly short term fiscal fixes like tobacco securitization. this is a recipe for disaster should the local economy continue to go south.

[Southbound]

"Levy's motivation is the usual: saving money."
That's why we voted for him. Keep up the good work Steve. Ignore the misguided liberal detractors.

[hmmmm]

Funny a few years back Suffolk had a private medical provider. Then they became self insured and now they a looking to go back to a private contractor. I'm sure the medical benefits will suffer, but that's what people want. The majority of people despise GOV workers so this will be very popular IMO.

[Pandora Spock]

To Hmmmm....

The HMO that Steve Levy is proposing to sell is the HMO that provides medical care to the indigent and low income people. I don't know if he can legally sell the plan to a private corporation without insuring that the poor are provided with the same level of care they now enjoy. I forsee a court challenge of the sale of the HMO by advocates for the indigent.

[givemeabreak]

Okay, so let's TRY to get this straight -- Royal is the company who, for all purposes shut down the County Plan with its illegal actions; the Plan (County) continued to use Royal's services (paid them); Royal contributes to Levy's campaign; the bid process is kept under wraps and guess what -- Royal wins by bidding more than Levy originally wanted -- all the time keep in mind, that per Mr. Levy the Plan is a loser -- givemeabreak. Levy wants out of health care and the public is lead to believe that the health centers are only used by Medicaid insureds so who cares about their fate.

Just another convoluted cover up, the health centers provide health care for many of the tax-paying American working poor. You know, they are the ones who work and actually pay taxes which provide ALL of the wonderful benefits but can't get help themselves. Where can they at very least get affordable health care -- of course, the health centers, who are the real target in this masked assault.

Seems the Legislative body is the only one who can stop this ill conceived sale. Hopefully, like Legislator Romaine, they will have the stamina to stand up for what is right.

Something in this whole deal smells fishy ... and we are not in a fish market!

[LEVY for governor]

steve levy should be the next governor of new york! the fact that newsday hates him so much is proof that he's the right man for the job. elect levy governor and cancel newsday! two things that will immeasurably help long island and new york state!