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July 15,
2006 July 15,
2006
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The Prairie Mail Box, by Rufus Zogbaum (1887)
Editor, The Nevada Observer,
Just a quick thank you for sending me the publications. I enjoy reading them. As a human interest story, I recently was awarded the honor of Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer Society. At this Black Tie event we raised over $86,000. Billboards will be going up soon. Thanks again,
Eileen Jackson, Loan Officer, Colonial Bank, Reno
Editor, The Nevada Observer,
Your story " Who Can We Blame For Today's Tolerant Drug Culture?" was TOTALLY depressing. But dang it was good.... I read that and wonder if anyone that is honest and ethical and removed from that corruption (like moi) can even win in this atmosphere....
Thanks for the story.. Good reality check..
Randi Thompson, Candidate, Nevada State Assembly, District 31 http://www.RandiThompson.com
Editor, The Nevada Observer,
A while back, I was going through some stuff and cleaning out files--you know how that is--and I came across a note from the Social Security people, suggesting I not carry my card in my wallet, in case it were lost or stolen. This would preclude, of course, some rotten scumbag from takin my number and using to his or her own benefit.
Then, it occurred to me that my Medicare card uses my Social Security number as my account number. And, I'm advised to carry my Medicare card with me at all times. Seems like a lose-lose situation to me, so I wrote Harry Reid. I told 'im I figured there wasn't anything he could do about it, but it made me feel better, having someone in High Places to complain to. Little did I know. Here's the answer I got today from his office.
Hal Swift, Sparks
June 22, 2006
Dear Mr. Swift:
Thank you for writing me to express your concerns regarding the use of a Social Security Number (SSN) for identity theft. I appreciate hearing from you.
Identity theft is a serious problem that affects over 10 million Americans each year. As identity theft often involves the misuse of SSNs, I agree that the display of these identifiers on Medicare cards puts beneficiaries at heightened risk.
That is why I voted for an amendment proposed last year (S. Amdt. 2196 to H.R. 3010) to move the Medicare program towards the adoption of a new system of numerical identifiers, thereby removing the display of SSNs on Medicare-issued identification cards and correspondence to the beneficiary. I was disappointed when this proposal was not included in the final version of the underlying bill, even though the Senate had approved it by a vote of 98 - 0. Nonetheless, the Medicare agency may still accelerate its plans to convert the beneficiary identifiers.
There are other measures still pending in the Senate to deter identity theft by limiting or prohibiting the use of SSNs in certain circumstances, including the Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act (S.29) and the Comprehensive Identity Theft Prevention Act (S. 768). One bill, the Social Security Number Protection Act (S. 2312), would change Medicare's numerical identifier system by law. These bills have not yet been considered by the full Senate, but please be assured that I will keep your support in mind. I will continue to work for effective solutions to protect consumers and their private information from identity theft.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
My best wishes to you.
Sincerely,
HARRY REID, United States Senator