TRR photo by Fritz Mayer Congressman Maurice Hinchey addresses a luncheon at the Bethel Senior Citizens Center in Kauneonga Lake, NY on March 8.

Hinchey on healthcare

Negotiating drug prices seen as essential for seniors

By FRITZ MAYER

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY—In 2005, when Congress passed the Medicare Part D program to provide prescription drugs for seniors, the legislation specifically prohibited Medicare officials from negotiating with drug companies to get lower prices. At the time, some wondered why this prohibition was included for a measure that would surely keep the cost of drugs down for seniors.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey said the reason is because backers of the legislation wanted to help drive up the cost of Medicare so that eventually seniors could not afford it, and Medicare could ultimately be done away with.

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Pipeline project comment period underway

Four million more gallons sought from West Branch Lackawaxen

By SANDY LONG

WAYNE AND PIKE COUNTIES, PA — Gas drilling companies aren’t the only ones looking for water in the Upper Delaware region these days. On the heels of a public hearing conducted by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) to receive public comment on proposed water withdrawals of 700,000 gallons per day from the West Branch of the Lackawaxen River, the FERC Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company’s (TGP) 300 Line Project has been released for public comment ending on March 29.

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Sullivan’s homeless population grows

Single adults drive the number skyward

By FRITZ MAYER

SULLIVAN COUNTY—Every year in the last week of January, John Van Etten coordinates a count of Sullivan County’s homeless. This year, 385 people were identified, which is up more than 140 from last year.

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Other stories in this issue:

• Adult Care Center considered
• Technology turnaround
• Tusten’s tech challenge
• UDC cites drilling concerns in comment letter
• School district may sign gas lease

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S