Comments on: Driving to the Hospital Is Already Expensive http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:09:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46991 Spud Spudly Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:32:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46991 I know that drose -- like I said, I've deducted them. That's also why I wrote, "<i>So if you can claim that stuff</i>...." SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! JANE S! You just said the dirty acronym on Streetsblog! Nobody wants to mention "EIS" here because nobody's done one for the CP plan. I know that drose -- like I said, I've deducted them. That's also why I wrote, "So if you can claim that stuff...."

SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! JANE S! You just said the dirty acronym on Streetsblog! Nobody wants to mention "EIS" here because nobody's done one for the CP plan.

]]> By: Jane S. http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46983 Jane S. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:34:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46983 Has free parking for cops and firemen ever been subjected to an EIS or any kind of enviro review as part of Clean Air Act compliance? It produces lots of driving into the CBD restricted zone. Has free parking for cops and firemen ever been subjected to an EIS or any kind of enviro review as part of Clean Air Act compliance? It produces lots of driving into the CBD restricted zone.

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46980 Doc Barnett Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:11:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46980 I am hiring drose as my tax accountant. I am hiring drose as my tax accountant.

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46979 Doc Barnett Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:10:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46979 I am firing Streetsblog as my tax accountant. But can't you also deduct a congestion charge, or subway fares, or taxi fares, so that the deduction itself would not alter the relative costs nor challenge the premise of the post? I am firing Streetsblog as my tax accountant. But can't you also deduct a congestion charge, or subway fares, or taxi fares, so that the deduction itself would not alter the relative costs nor challenge the premise of the post?

]]> By: drose http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46977 drose Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:59:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46977 Spud, You can only deduct those fees if your total medical expenses, after all insurance reimbursements, is greater than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. And even then, you can only deduct those amounts above that threshold. It will take some heavy medical bills or many trips by car to the Manhattan hospitals to reach that level for most families in the city. Spud,

You can only deduct those fees if your total medical expenses, after all insurance reimbursements, is greater than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. And even then, you can only deduct those amounts above that threshold. It will take some heavy medical bills or many trips by car to the Manhattan hospitals to reach that level for most families in the city.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46975 Spud Spudly Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:49:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46975 The hospital parking fee is deductible on your taxes, as are the gas and tolls you pay for the trip to and from the hospital. I know, I've deducted them. So if you can claim that stuff then the cost is really less than Streetsblog says. The hospital parking fee is deductible on your taxes, as are the gas and tolls you pay for the trip to and from the hospital. I know, I've deducted them. So if you can claim that stuff then the cost is really less than Streetsblog says.

]]> By: Had Enough with Civil Servants http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46911 Had Enough with Civil Servants Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:11:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46911 Ha ha. Meant to say metro CARDS of course. Ha ha. Meant to say metro CARDS of course.

]]> By: Had Enough with Civil Servants http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46910 Had Enough with Civil Servants Sun, 30 Mar 2008 05:11:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46910 You know they all get free metro cars too, don't you? It's really outrageous that they get BOTH. You know they all get free metro cars too, don't you? It's really outrageous that they get BOTH.

]]> By: Dave http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46908 Dave Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:35:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46908 So you think the FDNY will only want CP exemptions for the 15-20% of their workers impacted by the fee? Guess again. The NYPD and FDNY see free parking wherever-whenever as part of their compensation and they will complain bitterly that they should be forced to pay a fee for "ordinary citizens". I hope Bloomberg steps up to the plate and at least nixes their exemption; $8 is a fair price to pay if you are going to park for free for the entire day. But then again I make a lot more than the $25k the poor recruits make..but to be honest I doubt they can afford to own a car. So you think the FDNY will only want CP exemptions for the 15-20% of their workers impacted by the fee? Guess again.

The NYPD and FDNY see free parking wherever-whenever as part of their compensation and they will complain bitterly that they should be forced to pay a fee for "ordinary citizens".

I hope Bloomberg steps up to the plate and at least nixes their exemption; $8 is a fair price to pay if you are going to park for free for the entire day.

But then again I make a lot more than the $25k the poor recruits make..but to be honest I doubt they can afford to own a car.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46907 Andy B from Jersey Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:25:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46907 Interesting point Michael in #10. But how many firehouses are in the CP Zone compared to the city as a whole? It can't be more than 15% or 20% of the total number in all of the 5 boroughs so I don't know how much consolidation CP could warrant if it really did help improve response times. Plus Lower Manhattan is still the densest part of the city so their will always be a need for more firefighting services per unit area in this part of the city compared to the rest. Interesting point Michael in #10. But how many firehouses are in the CP Zone compared to the city as a whole? It can't be more than 15% or 20% of the total number in all of the 5 boroughs so I don't know how much consolidation CP could warrant if it really did help improve response times. Plus Lower Manhattan is still the densest part of the city so their will always be a need for more firefighting services per unit area in this part of the city compared to the rest.

]]> By: Hilarious and Yet Sad http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46862 Hilarious and Yet Sad Sat, 29 Mar 2008 01:13:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46862 So, this guy "ManhattanDowntowner" who has been posting the rants about police parking placard abuse here on Streetsblog -- look what he posted on the Daily Politics comments upon hearing news of the police and fire unions opposition to congestion pricing: <blockquote>This is further proof that congestion pricing is simply not ready. It's time to give it the axe... </blockquote> Earth to ManhattanDowntowner: The cops are opposed to congestion pricing because it's the only policy they've ever seen or heard of that might actually get them to stop bringing their freakin cars into Lower Manhattan every day. So, this guy "ManhattanDowntowner" who has been posting the rants about police parking placard abuse here on Streetsblog -- look what he posted on the Daily Politics comments upon hearing news of the police and fire unions opposition to congestion pricing:

This is further proof that congestion pricing is simply not ready. It's time to give it the axe...

Earth to ManhattanDowntowner: The cops are opposed to congestion pricing because it's the only policy they've ever seen or heard of that might actually get them to stop bringing their freakin cars into Lower Manhattan every day.

]]> By: Michael Steiner http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46859 Michael Steiner Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:20:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46859 If you are more cynic you can also argue it is about job security, at least with the FDNY: less congestion means that in case of emergency the can reach larger areas around the firehouse in the usual benchmark times meaning that potentially more firehouses could be consolidated ... If you are more cynic you can also argue it is about job security, at least with the FDNY: less congestion means that in case of emergency the can reach larger areas around the firehouse in the usual benchmark times meaning that potentially more firehouses could be consolidated ...

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46848 Andy B from Jersey Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:58:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46848 Wow! #7 slipped in right before my post. I guess the cops and firefighters care more about cheap/free parking than their own lives and the lives of those they are sworn to protect. Now someone at TA / StreetsBlog has got to run with my point! Radio 1: OFFICER DOWN!! OFFICER DOWN!! Radio 2: We'll be there as soon as we can but we're stuck in traffic! Radio 1: Come quick... There's so much blood. I can't hold on much longer... I... I... God please help.... me... (Radio 1 goes silent) Wow! #7 slipped in right before my post.

I guess the cops and firefighters care more about cheap/free parking than their own lives and the lives of those they are sworn to protect.

Now someone at TA / StreetsBlog has got to run with my point!

Radio 1: OFFICER DOWN!! OFFICER DOWN!!

Radio 2: We'll be there as soon as we can but we're stuck in traffic!

Radio 1: Come quick... There's so much blood. I can't hold on much longer... I... I... God please help.... me... (Radio 1 goes silent)

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46846 Andy B from Jersey Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:49:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46846 Now I've been staying out of the conversations about CP since I have nothing at stake but I've got one major point that I haven't heard anybody make that I've been dying to get out (no pun intend as you will see). CP would be a literal godsend for emergency services. How often have we all seen emergency vehicles totally stuck in traffic trying to respond to a call or get someone to a hospital. It happens all the time in my New Jersey town renown for it two premier hospitals and congestion here is usually rather minimal. DAMN IT!! This is a direct way that CP could help save lives and I haven't seen anyone bring this up yet. In fact, I feel that the unions that represent the police, firefighters and EMTs should be supporting CP based on the potential ability to save lives; some of which could be their own. Heck! There must have been at least one situation (if not many) already where a downed officer has died because backup was stuck in traffic and/or the ambulance got stuck getting to the hospital. And finally the system set up to administer CP could probably help lock-down and clear traffic in lower Manhattan if there ever was another terrorist attack. Please, someone! Run with this. Now I've been staying out of the conversations about CP since I have nothing at stake but I've got one major point that I haven't heard anybody make that I've been dying to get out (no pun intend as you will see).

CP would be a literal godsend for emergency services. How often have we all seen emergency vehicles totally stuck in traffic trying to respond to a call or get someone to a hospital. It happens all the time in my New Jersey town renown for it two premier hospitals and congestion here is usually rather minimal.

DAMN IT!! This is a direct way that CP could help save lives and I haven't seen anyone bring this up yet.

In fact, I feel that the unions that represent the police, firefighters and EMTs should be supporting CP based on the potential ability to save lives; some of which could be their own.

Heck! There must have been at least one situation (if not many) already where a downed officer has died because backup was stuck in traffic and/or the ambulance got stuck getting to the hospital.

And finally the system set up to administer CP could probably help lock-down and clear traffic in lower Manhattan if there ever was another terrorist attack.

Please, someone! Run with this.

]]> By: momos http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46842 momos Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:40:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46842 No surprise, the conservative and reactionary NYPD & FDNY oppose CP: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/03/police-fire-unions-come-out-ag.html What with the obscene parking rates officers must pay, especially in Lower Manhattan, the $8 charge is just too much... No surprise, the conservative and reactionary NYPD & FDNY oppose CP:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/03/police-fire-unions-come-out-ag.html

What with the obscene parking rates officers must pay, especially in Lower Manhattan, the $8 charge is just too much...

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46833 J. Mork Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:57:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46833 I will never understand people who can afford a car but can't afford $8 extra to go to the hospital. Perhaps these people need to sell their cars to get some cash for taxis! (Also, what about majority of people in NYC who don't own a car? Why don't I hear people crying about how are they going to get the hospital?) I will never understand people who can afford a car but can't afford $8 extra to go to the hospital. Perhaps these people need to sell their cars to get some cash for taxis!

(Also, what about majority of people in NYC who don't own a car? Why don't I hear people crying about how are they going to get the hospital?)

]]> By: South Slope http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46827 South Slope Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:58:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46827 OK I live in Brooklyn ... and I confess I've driven (more accurately been driven) to Manhattan hospitals for treatment not available closer to home. There really aren't any direct public transit links between here and Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU or Mt. Sinai. It's not much of a choice: but really, I'd rather risk getting stuck in traffic in a car than in a subway tunnel or on a bus when I'm not well. I'm pro-congestion pricing by the way (at least on a trial basis). If Manhattan's healthcare institutions want to continue to draw clientele from the surrounding region, they may have to take a more active role in planning ways to move sick people in and out of the zone. (As they are becoming more involved in arranging for affordable housing for the staffs on the island, as the NYT reported earlier this week.) OK I live in Brooklyn ... and I confess I've driven (more accurately been driven) to Manhattan hospitals for treatment not available closer to home. There really aren't any direct public transit links between here and Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU or Mt. Sinai. It's not much of a choice: but really, I'd rather risk getting stuck in traffic in a car than in a subway tunnel or on a bus when I'm not well. I'm pro-congestion pricing by the way (at least on a trial basis). If Manhattan's healthcare institutions want to continue to draw clientele from the surrounding region, they may have to take a more active role in planning ways to move sick people in and out of the zone. (As they are becoming more involved in arranging for affordable housing for the staffs on the island, as the NYT reported earlier this week.)

]]> By: Stacy http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46814 Stacy Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:49:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46814 OK I live below 14th Street and I can't imagine driving to the hospital. If it's an emergency I'd sooner take a cab, call an ambulance, or even walk to St. Vincent's or Beth Israel. Who would ever want to risk getting stuck in traffic if you're not well? OK I live below 14th Street and I can't imagine driving to the hospital. If it's an emergency I'd sooner take a cab, call an ambulance, or even walk to St. Vincent's or Beth Israel. Who would ever want to risk getting stuck in traffic if you're not well?

]]> By: momos http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46813 momos Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:46:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46813 Excellent post, Streetsblog. This is further evidence that populist anti-CP claims aren't backed up by real world facts. Making exemptions for hospital trips sounds great: who wants to appear unfriendly to the sick? But who actually drives to the hospital? People who can afford $24 parking. Those aren't Chevys, as Brodsky would say; those are Mercedes. Let them pay the $8 bucks like anyone else, and invest the revenue in transportation for the rest of New Yorkers. Excellent post, Streetsblog.

This is further evidence that populist anti-CP claims aren't backed up by real world facts.

Making exemptions for hospital trips sounds great: who wants to appear unfriendly to the sick? But who actually drives to the hospital? People who can afford $24 parking. Those aren't Chevys, as Brodsky would say; those are Mercedes. Let them pay the $8 bucks like anyone else, and invest the revenue in transportation for the rest of New Yorkers.

]]> By: Moser http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/comment-page-1/#comment-46812 Moser Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:37:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/03/28/driving-to-the-hospital-is-already-expensive/#comment-46812 Hospital parking fees probably an easier target for the likes of McCaffrey and friends -- newfound friends of hospital-goers -- except that it's the parking industry bankrolling them and so they won't touch this. Hospital parking fees probably an easier target for the likes of McCaffrey and friends -- newfound friends of hospital-goers -- except that it's the parking industry bankrolling them and so they won't touch this.

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