Frontus Calls Accessibility Upgrades “A Big Win”
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Brighton Beach) commented on the MTA’s announcement last week that an additional 20 subway stations across the city will get accessibility upgrades as part of the proposed 2020-2024 capital plan. Frontus said, “Every Brooklynite knows how important public transportation is. In fact, over 4.3 million New Yorkers rely
on the subway system each day to go to work, school or simply get around the city. Yet for years, Coney Island seniors and residents with mobility impairments haven’t been able to utilize their local station because it wasn’t fully ADA accessible. This is absolutely unacceptable and a terrible disservice to so many of our loved ones and neighbors.
“Now, much-needed changes are finally coming, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that an additional 20 subway stations will receive accessibility improvements, including the Neptune Avenue F train stop that’s used by thousands of residents each day. This stop currently lacks an elevator or escalator, preventing mobility-impaired individuals from accessing it. These upgrades are part of the MTA’s 2020-24 capital plan, which includes $5.2 billion to make 70 stations fully ADA compliant.
“Every New Yorker should be able to get around the city they call home safely and efficiently. With these improvements soon underway, we’re moving in the right direction toward ensuring all residents have equal access to the services they need and deserve.”
Malliotakis Comments on Fatal Hit and Run by Illegal Immigrant
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) released a statement following a crime committed in Upstate New York on Christmas Eve. A woman was struck and killed by an unlicensed illegal immigrant who left the scene. He was arrested and immediately released back on the street under the terms of New York state’s new bail reform law.
Malliotakis said, “For months, my colleagues and I have pleaded with Governor Cuomo to call the State Legislature back to Albany to fix a misguided bail reform law that will lead to the release of individuals who have committed serious crimes back into our communities.
She continued, “This new law does not consider an individual’s criminal history or the threat they pose to public safety. This dangerous law will eliminate bail for individuals accused of committing serious and even violent crimes such as drug dealing, assault, aggravated assault of a child, strangulation, promoting prostitution of a child and criminally negligent homicide.
“Even though this law hasn’t taken effect yet, ramifications of its passage are already being felt. On Christmas Eve, an unlicensed driver struck and killed a 35-year-old mother of three in Rockland County and subsequently fled the scene.
“The suspect, who was later apprehended and confessed to the crime, was released without bail and told to return to court on January 9, as the Judge chose to use guidelines set forth under the new law.
“To make matters worse, local law enforcement has identified the perpetrator as an illegal immigrant; increasing the likelihood he will not return to court. The judge who exercised bad discretion, in addition to the Governor and legislators who supported this bail reform law, have failed us and must be held accountable. Additionally, Governor Cuomo must listen to the District Attorneys Association of New York and the law enforcement community and issue an executive order halting this law’s full implementation until the legislature returns to Albany to fix it.
“New York State is quickly becoming a sanctuary for law breakers; a place where a perpetrator who violated our federal immigration laws, disregarded our state laws and then fled the scene after killing a mother of three on Christmas Eve is released back onto the streets without so much as a slap on the wrist.”
Cuomo Moves to Increase Transparency in Healthcare Costs
Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the 14th proposal of his 2020 State of the State agenda last week – increasing transparency in healthcare costs. Under this proposal, Cuomo will direct the Department of Health, the Department of Financial Services and the New York State Digital and Media Services Center to create a consumer-friendly website, called NYHealthcareCompare,
where New Yorkers can easily compare the cost and quality of healthcare procedures at hospitals around the state. The platform will also provide consumers with educational resources designed to help consumers know their rights including financial assistance options, what to do about a surprise bill and more.
“New York has made tremendous progress protecting consumers from unreasonably expensive medical care,” Cuomo said. “But the cost of many healthcare procedures has risen in recent years in part because consumers don’t have an easy way to compare prices at different hospitals in their area. This new website will give New Yorkers the facts they need to make informed decisions about the cost and quality of healthcare procedures – helping increase competition in the marketplace and driving down prices.”
This new website will allow consumers to easily shop for healthcare services and understand their rights all in one site, empowering New Yorkers to become educated consumers of healthcare services and choose the healthcare facility that fits their needs. The website would also enable consumers to see cost quality and volume data by specific hospital; search by medical procedure costs and affordability questions; as well as search for laws and programs to help New Yorkers with medical bills, health insurance complaints, hospital complaints and practitioner/provider complaints.
