He noted that rationing has become a terrible word opponents use to describe the plan, but believes that’s what insurance companies already do: decide if medical procedures are covered or not.
The president’s plan is not public medicine, the congressman said: “It’s private healthcare, but premiums will be collected by the government and payments sent out. And if there’s one thing the federal government does right it’s getting out checks for Social Security, veterans and other benefits,” he said.
Ackerman hopes the program will cover 90 percent of people who do not have healthcare now. “It will be a great thing, if that happens,” he said.
Denounced by some Queens Republicans for not holding any town hall meetings on healthcare last summer, as many members of Congress did, Ackerman said holding them didn’t make sense. “These are people who want a meeting to disrupt, not to talk about healthcare. Those meetings were staged by Republican clubs and here by the Queens Village Republican Club.”
Instead, he has called every constituent concerned about healthcare to come in for meetings in his Bayside office. “They are a lot more civil,” Ackerman added.
Clearly happy that Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, Ackerman, however, said he was surprised the committee picked the president for the honor.
“People overseas love Obama and I think the decision was made because we elected someone who looks different and has a different view,” Ackerman said.
On the Tribune’s handling of the Kevin Kim-Dan Halloran City Council race in the 19th District, Ackerman said he never criticizes any newspaper, but believes papers have an obligation to inform the public on any connection it has with a candidate.
Following the September primary, the Tribune ran a front-page story with a picture of Kim in casual clothing titled “Democratic Victor” and one of Halloran, the Republican contender, dressed in a tunic, as “Pagan Lord.” The story describes Halloran’s position as “the local king of a pre-Christian heathen religious group.”
The Tribune’s sister company, Multi-Media Corp., is representing Kim in his campaign and at that time had already earned more than $80,000 from the candidate, according to the city Campaign Finance Board’s list of Kim’s expenditures.
Those expenses include campaign mailings, printing, campaign literature, professional services and consulting.
Nowhere does the story mention the paper’s connection to Kim, although Tribune Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael Schenkler later noted that it had been revealed earlier in the campaign.
Kim, who worked for Ackerman before running for office, said he was not aware the story was going to run. Neither was Ackerman. “I love Kevin. He will win because he’s the best candidate. He really cares,” the congressman said.
But Ackerman was quick to say that although he believes it was a legitimate story to print, “I would have disclosed” the paper’s connection to Kim. “It’s not a requirement, but the press has its own standards and can’t belittle a candidate.”
He noted that he is not involved in the day-to-day operation of the Tribune and has not discussed the story with staff members. “I didn’t know about Halloran’s religion and it doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “I can think of reasons not to support Halloran and it has nothing to do with his religion.”
The congressman also addressed other issues relevant to Queens.
In 2000, Ackerman announced the Coast Guard would be leaving Fort Totten in Bayside and moving to the Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island. The city is supposed to get the nine-acre site for use by the Parks Department, but that has not happened.
Ackerman blamed the lack of action on a couple of things: the city did not move quickly enough and the Coast Guard may have to move back.
He noted the academy is expanding and the Coast Guard feels pressure to find a new location. Meanwhile, the NYPD has moved into one of the Coast Guard buildings at Fort Totten and doesn’t want to leave. “We are trying to negotiate to get the police a different building. They don’t have to be on the waterfront,” Ackerman said. “But the original plan is now on hold as the Coast Guard weighs its options.”
Another Queens issue involves the proposed College Point waste transfer station. Ackerman opposed it because of its height and proximity to LaGuardia Airport’s flight path. He believes the station would attract birds, which could also impact on airline safety.
“We had discussions [with the FAA] and they will watch it,” he said. “They never gave a thought to the bird problem at LaGuardia. They will monitor the bird population, have lowered the height of the building, and we’ll stay on top of it.”
He is satisfied with the concessions, but wary of its execution.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ackerman has taken an active role in pursing peace in the Middle East. Despite threats from Iran, he is optimistic that a peaceful outcome in the region is possible.
“There are very good signs, but nobody is able to close the deal,” he said. “Dividing Jerusalem is the main issue.”
He said that half the Palestinians want peace and the rest refuse to recognize the existence of Israel and won’t negotiate. “It’s still a real estate deal with high emotions, but it can be done,” Ackerman said.
He believes the biggest threat in the Middle East is Iran, as do Israel and other countries in the region. “Iran is viewed as the aggressor and it frightens countries in the Mideast,” Ackerman said.
He noted that Iran as not an Arab country — it’s Persian — and is suffering from tremendous economic problems. “They have plenty of oil but can’t make gasoline out of it,” he pointed out. “They send it out and then buy it back.”
The congressman added that Iran supports the Palestinians and is viewed in the Arab world as their protector. “If the issue was settled, the other Arab countries could move on,” he said, adding that then Iran wouldn’t have an edge with the Arabs.
“Recognition of Israel could come,” Ackerman said. “The neighboring countries will realize that Israel is the economic engine for the region in trade and tourism.”
America’s dependence on foreign oil is also tied up with Iran, he believes. “No one would deal with Iran without the oil,” Ackerman said. “We have to get to that point of looking for alternative fuel, and President Obama is serious about it.”
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