Manhattan: Cynthia Fisher assaults New York Metropolis’s personal hospitals for charging “three to 4 instances Medicare charges for a similar care” (“Let everybody see what hospitals really cost,” op-ed, Dec. 26) however conveniently leaves out that hospitals lose cash on each Medicare and Medicaid affected person they deal with. That’s a recipe for monetary catastrophe, and the rationale so many hospitals are on the monetary brink.

Fisher additionally ignores the true drivers of well being care prices: rising drug and medical machine prices, downstate New York’s terrible medical malpractice setting, inflation, excessive labor prices and nationwide insurance coverage corporations that pad their huge earnings by delaying and denying care at each flip. As well as, the Metropolis Council “hospital accountability” invoice Fisher helps locations one other pointless burden on the hospitals that sacrificed for all New Yorkers through the pandemic — and at the moment are battling the convergence of flu, RSV and COVID-19. The invoice is duplicative of current necessities that maintain New York Metropolis hospitals accountable. For instance, they already adjust to federal regulation by posting each their costs and consumer-friendly calculators on-line to assist people estimate their prices. And each the town comptroller and state comptroller have already got broad mandates to audit what the town spends on well being take care of its staff.

If Fisher and the invoice’s sponsors actually wish to assist New Yorkers, they need to be a part of the hospital neighborhood in combating for increased Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement charges. And in the event that they really need higher accountability in well being care, they need to give attention to the abusive practices of nationwide for-profit medical health insurance corporations that hinder the flexibility of our hospitals to ship care. Kenneth E. Raske, president, Higher New York Hospital Affiliation

Manhattan: Individuals wish to earn a living from home and plenty of corporations are permitting them to take action. So, constructing extra towers that can stay empty makes little sense. Fill current workplaces earlier than we construct new towers. As an alternative, Gov. Hochul, why not enhance the trains? Edward Drossman

Brooklyn: The paper says the primary weed store lastly opened up (”It’s reefer gladness downtown,” Dec. 30). My small neighborhood, Boerum Hill, has 5 – 6 weed outlets which have been open for months. Any individual’s not doing the homework. Charlie Pisano

Manhattan: Does Voicer Dan Arthur Pryor actually assume supposedly expert fishers ought to get reward for throwing fish again? Voicer Sarah Alboher’s letter referred to you tricking hungry beings into biting down on a pointy hook. The place’s the ability? You might be additionally intentionally inflicting their faces to be pierced by the hook. Strive that your self, see should you take pleasure in it. The fish battle as a result of ache you’ve brought on them, and sure, statistically, a few of these fish die, so cease mendacity. As well as, you’re suffocating fish whenever you yank them out of the water on your amusement. Growing older actor/sport fisher Henry Winkler bizarrely described how he ecstatically kisses the fish earlier than throwing them again. Fish are sentient, clever and sociable. Discover a sport that doesn’t hurt dwelling beings in any approach. Grace Luntz

Uniondale, L.I.: I’m completely happy to see “Pooch Cafe” on the highest of the comics web page (the place it belongs)! “Purple & Rover” could be the cutest strip, however “Pooch Cafe” is the funniest. Why is it not in Sunday’s paper, nonetheless? I at all times have to go surfing to see it on Sundays! Lengthy reside Poncho! His feedback are hilarious. Judith McShea

Camden, N.J.: Barbara Walters was the daughter of oldsters of Russian-Jewish descent. She was comically known as “Baba Wawa” in all “Saturday Night time Dwell” skits when Gilda Radner mimicked her. However in actual life, someone needed to be America’s in the beginning standard feminine broadcaster. With enhanced journalistic prudence, Walters aroused public curiosity. Wayne E. Williams

Bayside: On Dec. 23, the MTA, together with all his beloved riders, misplaced an exquisite soul, Paul Galietti. Paul was 78. He had 52 years of service driving the native and specific bus. He was the oldest and had essentially the most service driving in Queens. He had a coronary heart of gold, evidenced by the quantity of fellow staff and riders that got here to his wake. In l978, I moved to Bayside. My son, 8, was within the metropolis with my brother. Sadly, he obtained separated and was confused, not figuring out which bus to take house. He was visibly upset. Paul pulled up, noticed him, obtained off the bus, spoke with him and drove him all the way in which house. The subsequent morning, I went to the bus cease and waited till each bus handed by so I may meet Paul and thank him. We grew to become good associates for 40 years. He was identified by all, cherished by all and can be missed by all. Could he relaxation in peace. Judy Pinto

Chester, N.J.: I used to be amused by Voicer Alex Rivera noting that I used to be quoted on New Yr’s Eve in “You mentioned it” (editorial, Dec. 31) recommending folks boycott Russian caviar and vodka, and turning right into a method to slam President Biden. For context, I discussed merchandise that folks affiliate with Russia. I’ve by no means purchased caviar, however have substituted Tito’s vodka for Stoli. I additionally gained’t purchase gasoline from Russian oil firm Lukoil — and be aware that gasoline is now about the place it was through the reign of the orangutan. David J. Melvin

Bronx: Why does everybody have their drawers in a twist over George Santos blatantly mendacity about his background? It’s the norm for his chief and so many others within the Republican Social gathering. Have we forgotten that Donald Trump lied that Barack Obama was born in Kenya and he had the proof? He by no means offered that proof and the media didn’t demand that he present it. And naturally, the most important lie of all: that the 2020 election was stolen. And in Arizona, the Republican candidate for governor went to court docket, the place her false declare of a stolen election was slapped down. It’s most egregious for Santos to lie about his kinfolk being within the Holocaust and 9/11. However that’s the norm for members of his celebration. None has been sanctioned for these lies, so why would Santos not assume it’s acceptable to lie? Pauline Graham Binder

Manalapan, N.J.: If you would like snicker, tune in to Mark Simone. I used to be in search of information and occurred upon a crackpot newscaster who was lauding George Santos — Simone thinks that is nice. Santos lied and faked nearly his entire life however most politicians do this anyway. Mark loves George and feels that he ought to be admired. Let’s see about this: Santos is being hunted for fraud in Brazil; he lied about his mom’s dying; lied about his training and the record goes on and on. Hmm — perhaps we should always look into Mark’s résumé. Gary Chasen

Mansfield, Conn.: Conservative commentator William F. Buckley Jr. mentioned through the Sixties that an individual who introduced a menace to the existence of the nation ought to be jailed. Many, akin to liberals, and together with me, mentioned this is able to not do in a democracy. Now, with Donald Trump, I feel Invoice had a degree. Charles R. Vermilyea Jr.

Brooklyn: Voicer Ebere Osu gaslights me and characterizes my description of the scenario within the Mideast as “unlucky.” However who’s guilty for this lack of fine fortune and religion? I’d recommend that is likely to be Israel, and that the individuals who usurped the land of the Palestinians ought to take into account following the directives of the good Moses, whose eighth Commandment, my private favourite, was, “Thou shalt not steal.” As you undergo life, you could uncover that when folks steal another person’s land, the victims of the theft tend to get very indignant. Within the aftermath, bullies like to say that anger is hate. Therefore, the one distinction between Ukrainians and Palestinians is that the previous has significantly better weaponry as a method to cease the theft. Expensive Ebere, attempt to comply with the directives of Moses. It is a ethical query, so it have to be framed within the context of an ethical perspective. Nick Smith

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