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Mayor Daniel Bianchi, on the right, greets Pete Menard, of the GE retirees union.
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Russell Freedman served as the emcee.
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Dr. Charles Wohl, Russell Freedman, and Mayor Daniel Bianchi.

Advocates Call For Expanding Medicare On Anniversary Of Bill Signing

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Advocates held a 'birthday party' for Medicare outside of the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dr. Charles Wohl says the United States ranks 37th in the world in health outcomes.

But ranks first in per capita spending.

"That is terrible," Wohl said.
 
"We have a highly inefficient health-care system. Twelve to 30 percent of health-care spending goes down the drain for administrative costs."
 
However, with the Medicare system, only 3 percent of the total expenses are for administration. The rest goes directly to keeping the elderly and those with disabilities healthy.
 
That's why Wohl joined with others on Thursday to advocate for the expansion of the federal program.
 
"We seen how many people suffer from the shortfalls of this program," said Lara Shepard-Blue, of the Massachusetts Nursing Association.
 
Thursday marked 50 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law. Medicare provides health insurance for people aged 65 and older; Medicaid covers low-income families and individuals. The group of advocates stood outside of the Silvio O. Conte Federal Building to push for expansion of Medicare and to celebrate that it has provided health support for millions of Americans in the last half century.
 
"Most of us want affordable health care and we want to make it accessible for everybody," said Massachusetts League of Women Voters co-President Jean Cherdack.
 
Dr. Henry Rose performs dialysis at Berkshire Medical Center. He said patients of every political party never complain that the government is paying for the procedure. In 1972, Republic President Richard Nixon expanded the program started under Democratic leadership. Rose said "bipartisan" efforts to improve the program has been done and should be done again.
 
Rose called for at least expanding the program to those who are aged 60. The group also supported the program paving the road for a single-payer system.
 
"We pledge to work with communities and policy makers to finish the job," Shepard-Blue said.
 
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey wasn't in attendance but sent a prepared statement re-affirming his conviction to strengthen and protect the program.
 
"I will continue to fight against any efforts to end Medicare and Medicaid to ensure their promise for future generations. I have long been an advocate for keeping the Medicare program fully funded and ensuring that the program is reaching its goals in providing beneficiaries with quality and comprehensive health care that will improve quality of life," Markey wrote. 
 
He added that he wrote a provision in the Affordable Care Act known as the Independence at Home program to help chronically sick seniors received coordinated care in their homes.
 
The group held signs pushing for an expansion of the program.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal also issued a statement saying he too will continue to support the program. 
 
"As a member of the committee that has jurisdiction over these programs in Congress, I have a long legislative history of fighting to preserve, protect, and expand Medicare and Medicaid," Neal wrote.
 
"In my opinion, providing health insurance to the elderly and disabled is a reflection of our values as a nation."
 
Mayor Daniel Bianchi issued a proclamation from the city recognizing the program. Before the program was put in place, families emptied their life savings to pay for health care, the mayor said.
 
"Now people can receive health care as they get older and doing so in a much more humane manner," Bianchi said, calling the program a "lifeline" for millions of Americans.
 
Pittsfield has the highest percentage of retirees in the state and the largest employer is Berkshire Medical Center, so the Medicare program has a tremendous impact on the city.
 
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier prepared a statement saying the program not only helps provide health care coverage but also helps families from falling into poverty. 
 
"Medicare has sharply reduced poverty among seniors and significantly improved the financial security of their families," Farley-Bouvier wrote. "It has reduced health disparities related to race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. We can't even imagine our country without Medicare today."

Tags: anniversary,   health insurance,   medicare/medicaid,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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