Published: June 10, 2009 07:23 am      

Letters for June 10, 2009

Sentences don't seem to fit crimes

In Patricia Breakey's news story, "Man sentenced for probation violation" (The Daily Star, June 2), we read of a person who was sentenced to 2 1/3-to-7 years in prison for violating his probation by drinking five beers, while another person will have served less than three years for raping a 15-year-old girl, and is to be released in July.

Do I need glasses, or is it the criminal justice system in Delaware County that's going blind?

Roger Weiss

Stamford

Budget will drive up health care costs

Earlier this year, the state Legislature enacted the budget agreement after back-room negotiations among state leaders. Even earlier, Albany took action to plug a deficit in last year's budget stemming from the meltdown in the nation's economy. Little, if any, detail was made available on the impact of these moves on the state's health-insurance-buying public and the employers for whom they work. While the media focused their attention on sensational possibilities such as a tax on nondiet soda, changes amounting to a $700 million assessment on health-insurance carriers were enacted with no fanfare.

Insurance companies now are receiving surcharge and assessment increases as a result of these actions. There can be no doubt that this levy will be passed on to policyholders.

As the president of a trade association representing some 1,500 independent insurance agencies throughout the state, I am compelled to express my indignation at the enactment of this assessment.

At a time when health care costs and premiums already are escalating at light speed, how can any lawmaker think it's prudent to load further costs to the system?

This increase in premiums will make health insurance unaffordable for many employers and families throughout our state. The agencies we represent, and the thousands of employees who work for them, are strapped even further to cover the cost of spiraling state government. We can't afford it! I implore lawmakers to consider the impact of such "hidden sick taxes" and to identify ways to eliminate this assessment. They are hurting the people who they are supposed to serve!

New York's businesses and individuals already struggle to afford health insurance. The level of taxes in this budget makes a bad situation worse, and will result in many people losing the coverage they have.

D. Scott Liebert

Nanuet

Liebert is president of Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc.