THIS IS "NEED TO KNOW."
I AM PETER IGLINSKI.
TRAGEDY STRUCK SEVERAL COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK LAST WEEK.
A COMMUTER FLIGHT CRASHED INTO A HOUSE IN CLARENCE THURSDAY NIGHT KILLING 50 PEOPLE.
TWO DAYS LATER, TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED OUTSIDE A HOSPITAL IN BROCKPORT AND ANOTHER TWO WERE GUNNED DOWN IN THEIR HOME IN CANANDAIGUA.
THIS TAKES A TOLL IN FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
DR. VALERIE COAL WORKS FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.
WHEN YOU ARE CONFRONTED LIKE IT -- WITH A CRISIS LIKE THIS WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?
>> THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THE FIRST THING THE RED CROSS WILL DO IS SET UP A FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE CRASH.
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS PROVIDE SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, FOOD, SNACKS, COORDINATE WITH THE AIRLINE IN TERMS OF IF THERE NEEDS TO BE HOTELS OR BRING THE FAMILIES AND TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, AND TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
>> YOUR PERSONAL JOBS INCLUDES NOTIFYING PEOPLE THAT THEIR LOVED ONES HAVE PASSED ON.
HOW DO YOU BREAK NEWS LIKE THAT?
>> RED CROSS PEOPLE GENERALLY DO NOT NOTIFY THE LOVED ONES ABOUT THE PASSENGERS ON THE PLANE.
IT IS EITHER ABOUT MEDICAL STAFF AT THE HOSPITAL OR LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOMEONE LIKE THAT WHO WOULD PROVIDE THE NOTIFICATION.
OUR MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEERS MAY ACCOMPANY THEM.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, NOTIFICATIONS LIKE THAT ARE BETTER IF THEY ARE JUST THREE FORWARD, AND CAN -- CAN PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED OR HOBBLE LOVED ONE ACTUALLY PASSED.
THAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR MOST PEOPLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE -- A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE HEM AND HAW IF THEY HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE.
THOSE ARE NOT GENERALLY AS HELPFUL AS STRAIGHT FORWARD, YOUR LOVED ONE DIED IN A CRASH.
>> AT THAT POINT THEY ARE SUSPECT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY.
>> AND IN THE CASE OF A PLANE CRASH IT IS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN THERE ARE NOT -- SOMETHING CONCRETE THAT THE FAMILY CAN HOLD ONTO.
SOMETIMES THAT IS MORE DIFFICULT, IF THERE IS A DELAY IN NOTIFICATION.
>> ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GRIEF, A PLANE CRASH AND HOMICIDES AND OTHER DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRAGEDIES?
>> GRIEF IS AN ALL ENCOMPASSING TERM.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE HAVE COMPLICATED GRIEF, OR TRAUMATIC GRIEF.
THAT IS WHEN THERE IS ALSO A TRAUMA THAT HAS HAPPENED AS WELL.
THE PERSON IS FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THE TRAUMA AS WELL AS THE GRIEF OF A LOSS OF A LOVED ONE.
THAT IS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT THAN JUST STRAIGHT GRIEF WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN SICK FOR A LONG TIME.
>> WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SEVERE GRIEF?
THEM IT IS COMPLICATED BRIEF.
IT GENERALLY LASTS LONGER THAN NORMAL GRIEF.
THAT IS ONE SIGN IS THAT IT LASTS LONGER.
IT IS ALSO MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE PERSON TO START FUNCTIONING IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AGAIN, SO THEY HAVE MORE TROUBLE BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, THEY HAVE MORE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THEY JUST HAVE MORE DIFFICULTY STARTING TO COPE AGAIN.
>> WE HAVE ALL BEEN INVOLVED WITH COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A CRISIS UNTIL THERE IS A SHOOTING OR A PLANE CRASH.
WHAT DOES THAT DO TO A COMMUNITY, EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED?
>> HOPEFULLY AND IMMEDIATELY IT USUALLY BRINGS A COMMUNITY TOGETHER.
PEOPLE DO TEND TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND ROUTE AROUND THE FAMILIES THAT ARE INVOLVED.
THAT IS THE BEST PART OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT IS THAT WHEN THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WORKS WITH EACH OTHER TO PROVIDE FOOD, SUPPORT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT IS HELPFUL.
THAT IS USUALLY THE FIRST THING YOU'LL SEE IS THAT PEOPLE WILL START TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF WHAT EVER THE TRAGEDY WAS AND HELP THE FAMILY.
>> DO YOU DEAL WITH KIDS, IMMEDIATE FAMILIES, FRIENDS I WOULD ASSUME?
CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW EACH THE FROM PERSON IS ADDRESSED?
WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS IN DEALING WITH THE GRIEF OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER?
>> THERE ARE THE EMOTIONAL ASPECTS.
THE LOSS AND SADNESS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
FOR SOME PEOPLE, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS LIKE THAT IS IT REALLY CHANGES IN THEIR WAY OF BEING AT THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT.
THEY HAVE TROUBLE THINKING AND CONCENTRATING.
THEY GO INTO ANOTHER STATE OF MIND SO TO SPEAK WHERE THEY ARE UNABLE TO FUNCTION AS WELL AS THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY.
SOME PEOPLE KIND OF RISE TO THE OCCASION AND CAN SOMEHOW COPE ANYWAY.
THEY CAN STILL DO ALL THE THINGS THEY NEED TO DO.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT.
CERTAINLY, WITH TRAGEDIES LIKE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, YOU ALSO HAVE ALL OF THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS.
USUALLY THE OTHER PERSON IN THE FAMILY WAS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF INCOME FOR THE FAMILY.
NOW WHAT WILL THEY DO?
THEY HAVE INSURANCE ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.
ALL OF THE PRACTICAL ISSUES THAT THE FAMILY OF A SUDDEN HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT THEYE WERE NOT EXPECTING.
A LOVED ONE, IT IS NOT JUST THE LOSS OF YOUR PARTNER, BUT IT IS ALSO THE LOSS OF SOME BE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO IT.
WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AS WELL.
>> YOU BRING UP A NUMBER OF GOOD POINTS.
WHEN A LOVED ONE OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY PAM -- MEMBER PASSES, IT COULD BE THE MAJOR PARTNER IN A WHOLE SOLD, YOU STILL HAVE BILLS TO PAY AND THINGS TO DO TO HELP THE FAMILY FUNCTION.
HOW DO YOU BEGIN TO GET SOMEONE TO MAKE SURE THAT OTHER THINGS ARE TAKEN CARE OF SO THAT THEIR SITUATION DOES NOT BECOME WORSE?
>> THE COUNSELORS ON SITE LIKE THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, WHOEVER IS ON SITE WILL HELP THE PERSON IDENTIFY WHO IS THERE SUPPORT SYSTEM.
WHO ARE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, NEIGHBORS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, WHO ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAN COME IN AND HELP THIS PERSON OR HELP THIS FAMILY WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES THEY NEED TO WORK THROUGH.
THE AGE-OLD PRACTICE OF BRINGING CASSEROLES TO A FUNERAL, THAT THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.
MEET PEOPLE NEED THE FOOD.
PEOPLE NEED TO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF DETAILS ARE PART OF THEIR DAILY LIVES WHEN A TRAGEDY HAPPENS.
IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE OTHER PEOPLE STEP IN AND WASHED THE DISHES AND PROVIDE THE CASSEROLES, AND ALL OF THOSE PRACTICAL THINGS.
>> CLOSE FRIENDS COME BUT THEY USUALLY HELP THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, THEY COME FIRST.
BUT OFTEN THEY IGNORE THEIR OWN GRIEF, BECAUSE THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF SOMEONE ELSE.
>> I THINK WHEN PEOPLE BAN TOGETHER, THEY DERIVE A LOT OF THEIR HEALING FROM EACH OTHER.
WHAT WE KNOW FROM JUST LOOKING AT THE LITERATURE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN DISASTERS, A SOCIAL SUPPORT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR RECOVERY.
IF YOU ARE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE SUPPORT EACH OTHER, AND WHERE YOU CAN'T JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER AND REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED, JUST TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING FROM HERE.
YOU CAN TALK TO EACH OTHER.
THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF HEALING, JUST BY BEING WITH EACH OTHER AND PROVIDING THAT KIND OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AS WELL.
>> WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS WITH KIDS?
>> IT IS VERY OFTEN VERY HARD FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED.
IT DEPENDS ON THE AGE LEVEL.
YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH CHILDREN AT WHATEVER DEVELOPMENTAL LEVEL THEY ARE.
YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN TO KIDS WHAT HAPPENED IN THEIR LANGUAGE.
IN AS PLAIN SPEAKING AS POSSIBLE.
IF IT IS A VERY SMALL KID, YOU NEED TO TELL THEM THE PLANE FELL DOWN OR WHATEVER, AND DADDY HAS DIED OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE.
WITH OLDER KIDS AS THEY ASK MORE QUESTIONS, THEN YOU GIVE THEM MORE INFORMATION.
YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE KIDS GO FURTHER THAN THEY ARE READY TO GO IN TERMS OF THEIR EMOTIONAL REACTION.
YOU WANT TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD.
YOU WANT TO LET THEM ASK QUESTIONS OR TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT.
YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM AS SAFE ENVIRONMENT AS POSSIBLE AND WHICH TO TALK ABOUT IT.
FOR SOME KIDS, DRAWING OR SOME KINDS OF GAMES MIGHT BE HELPFUL WITH THEM.
THEY WILL START TO OPEN UP AS THEY ARE READY TO.
JUST MAKE IT SAFE FOR THE KIDS TO TALK ABOUT WHATEVER THEIR FEELINGS ARE.
OFTEN KIDS DON'T HAVE WORDS FOR HOW THEY ARE FEELING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER FELT THAT WAY BEFORE.
ANOTHER THING ADULTS CAN DO IS PUT WORDS ON IT.
I KNOW YOU ARE REALLY SAD OR, IT REALLY HURTS THAT THIS TERRIBLE THING HAPPENED, OR YOU MAY BE AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT GIVE THEM FALSE REASSURANCE, BUT YOU DO REASSURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO SAY THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT YOU WANT TO SAY YOU ARE SAFE RIGHT NOW, NOTHING ELSE IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE WITH ME OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> CAN YOU DEFINE HEALTHY GRIEVING?
>> IT WILL BE DIFFERENT FOR MOST PEOPLE, BUT I THINK IT IS ALLOWING YOURSELF TO REALLY FEEL THE SADNESS THAT IS HAPPENING, AND ALLOWING YOURSELF TO FEEL THE LOSS, ALLOWING YOURSELF TO REMEMBER BOTH THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD.
ALLOW YOURSELF TO HAVE ALL THE EMOTIONS THAT MIGHT BE INVOLVED.
ONE OF THE RISK FACTORS FOR THE COMPLICATED GRIEF THAT I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER IS THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE DIE WHEN YOU ARE MAD AT THEM, OR WHERE YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIP, OR SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED THAT YOU HAVE NOT RESOLVED.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE DIED AT THE MOST INCONVENIENT TIMES.
YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DIE TODAY.
SO PEOPLE NEED TO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO FEEL THAT, TO FEEL THE ANGER THAT MIGHT BE THERE.
A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE DIE, WE KIND OF MAKE THEM HEROES.
THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE WAY YOU FELT ABOUT THEM INITIALLY, OR IT MAY BE THAT YOU ARE ANGRY THAT THEY LEFT AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME IN YOUR LIFE.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO JUST LET WHATEVER FEELINGS THEY HAVE BEEN THERE, ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AND MAYBE TALK WITH FRIENDS OR A COUNSELOR OR OTHER LOVED ONES ABOUT IT.
ALLOW IT TO BE THERE.
SOMETIMES WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO DO IS THEY NEED TO SAY FOR THE NEXT FEW HOURS, I NEED TO DEAL WITH THE KIDS AND TALK TO THEIR SCHOOL AND MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS, AND THE PRACTICAL THINGS.
I CANNOT AFFORD TO AGREE DURING THAT TIME.
OK, THEN ALLOW YOURSELF TIME LATER TO GRIEF.
>> SOMETIMES THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ARE LEFT TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
YOU HAVE TO HURT.
AT WHAT POINT WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS TO SAY THIS PERSON NEEDS MORE HELP?
>> I THINK IT IS LENGTH OF TIME.
IF IT IS SIX MONTHS LATER, AND THE PERSON IS STILL NOT RECOVERING AND STILL NOT ABLE TO HANDLE THEIR DAILY LIVES, THEY PROBABLY WOULD NEED SOME HELP.
IF PEOPLE ARE ACTING OUT, IF PEOPLE ARE ABUSING SUBSTANCES, ALCOHOL OR DRUGS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
IF THEY ARE NEGLECTING PERSONAL HYGIENE, THINGS LIKE THAT.
IF THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PERSON'S FUNCTIONING, THAT IS PERSISTING, YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK FOR SOME PROFESSIONAL HELP.
>> HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF?
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOURSELF FROM GOING DOWN THE WRONG PATH?
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IS WE HAVE ANOTHER DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEERS THAT WE TALK WITH.
WHENEVER SOMEONE GOES OUT ON AN ASSIGNMENT, WE HAVE COUNSELORS THAT TALKED WITH THEM WHEN THEY COME BACK.
WHEN THE PEOPLE FROM THE ROCHESTER CHAPTER THAT WENT TO BUFFALO, THEY WILL BE CONTACTED BY OTHER MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEERS TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR THEM.
WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS THAT TELLING YOUR STORY IS AN INCREDIBLY HEALING EXPERIENCE.
IF I CAN JUST TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AND YOU CAN LISTEN AND EMPHASIZED AND UNDERSTAND, THAT WILL MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.
WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN ANY KIND OF RESPONSE, WHETHER IT BE A HURRICANE OR SOMETHING AS TRAGIC AS THE PLANE CRASH, THAT THEY GET THAT OPPORTUNITY TO STEP OUT -- TO TELL THAT STORY TO SOMEBODY ELSE WHEN THEY GET BACK.
ANOTHER IS I EXERCISE, I'D TAKE CARE OF MYSELF AS BEST I CAN.
SAME THING WE TELL THE FAMILIES TO DO.
>> THE PLANE CRASH, PEOPLE ARE SHOCKED, TIME GOES BY.
OUR RELAPSES, WHEN SOME OF THE THINGS -- WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REASSURE PEOPLE THAT WHAT THEY'RE EXPERIENCING SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS LATER IS OKAY.
>> ANNIVERSARY WILL TRIGGER THE EMOTIONS AGAIN.
THEY WILL THINK SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY BREAK DOWN CRYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.
THAT DOES HAPPEN AND IT IS NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL.
CERTAINLY, ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF A PLANE CRASH OR ANNIVERSARY OF A HOMICIDE IT IS LIKELY THAT THE FAMILIES ARE GOING TO EXPERIENCE MORE GRIEF ON THOSE DAYS.
>> IT DOESN'T HELP WHEN THE MEDIA RUNS THE ANNIVERSARY SHOWS.
>> AND WITH KIDS YOU NEED TO WATCH OUT AND PROTECT THEM FROM ANY OF THIS TO SOME DEGREE.
KIDS AFTER 9/11 THOUGHT THERE WERE MANY PLANES HITTING THE TOWERS WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY JUST OUT REPEAT OF THOSE IMAGES OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.
YOU CAN GO ONLINE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW, GO TO WXXI.ORG/NTK AND CLICK ON THE LINK FOR AUDIO BROADCAST.
THIS WEEK, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING JOURNALIST DAVID CAY JOHNSTON FINDS CLUES TO MODERN DAY PROBLEMS.
>> HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE PHRASE, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
THAT TRACES ALL THE WAY BACK TO ANCIENT EGYPT WHEN PEOPLE OWED TAX THAT HAD NO MONEY TO PAY.
>> SO IF YOU DID NOT HAVE YOUR TAXES THEY WOULD BEAT IT OUT OF YOU?
>> EXACTLY.
THE KINGS OF EGYPT -- THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS WERE NOT SLAVES.
THEY WERE PAID FOR THE WORK THEY DID ON THE PYRAMIDS.
WE KNOW THAT THERE WERE RULES REGARDING FAIR PAYMENT, WHAT WE CALL WAGE AND POWER LAWS.
EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT SLAVES, SOME OF THEM WERE SHOWN IN HIEROGLYPHS BEING BEATEN.
EVENTUALLY THE EGYPTIAN CULTURE AND ITS LANGUAGE DIED OUT.
AND NO ONE KNEW WHAT TO MAKE OF THESE HIEROGLYPHS SHOWING PRIESTS BEATING PEOPLE.
>> WHAT WAS THE KEY TO DECIPHERING THE HIEROGLYPHS?
>> IN 1799 NAPOLEON'S ARMY INVADED EGYPT.
IN A VILLAGE THEY FOUND A BLACK STONE WITH WORDS CARVED ON IT.
I KEEP THIS REPLICA OF IT ON MY DESK.
THE SAME MESSAGES CARVED IN THE ROSETTA STONE THREE TIMES, ONCE IN ANCIENT EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHS AND TWICE IN TWO FORMS OF GREEK.
THAT ALLOWED THEM TO READ THIS.
IN ONE PART IT SAID IT WAS A GRANT OF TAX RELIEF.
THE PHARAOH 2200 YEARS AGO GAVE A TAX BREAK TO THE PRIESTS OF THIS VILLAGE AS A REWARD FOR FAITHFULLY SERVING HIM.
WHENEVER SOMEONE COULD NOT PAY HIS TAXES, OR HE WAS INJURED, HE WENT TO SEE A PRIEST.
THE PRIEST TOOK OUT LONG STICKS AND LITERALLY BEAT IT OUT OF HIM.
THE MORE SOME OLD, THE MORE INTENSE THE BEATING.
>> THAT IS A LOT DIFFERENT TODAY.
IF YOU FAIL TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT PUTS A LIEN ON YOUR PROPERTY AND YOU TRY TO WORK OUT A PAYMENT.
>> THE PRIEST OR BEEN REPORTED TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OBEY THE PHARAOH'S GOVERNMENT.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE A POLITICIAN HANDING OUT FAVORS TO HIS FRIENDS.
>> POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN REWARDING THEIR FRIENDS WITH TAX FIGURES -- FAVORS FOR CENTURIES.
I AM DAVID CAY JOHNSTON.
NEXT WEEK WE WILL LOOK AT THE DESPITE THE BEATINGS AND THE FAVORS TO THE FRIENDS.
>> TIME FOR A LOOK AT THE BUSINESS SECTION WITH THE “DEMOCRATIC CHRONICLE.”
>> THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
THE PRESIDENT IS PROPOSING A BAILOUT FOR HOME OWNERS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.
IN MARCH THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT PACKAGE WILL COME OUT.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A BUNCH OF MONEY BEING PUT INTO THINGS TO TRY TO SLOW DOWN THE HUGE NUMBERS OF FORECLOSURES GOING ON.
YOU ARE LOOKING AT VARIOUS PROGRAMS TO TRY TO OFFSET MORTGAGES, MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND TRY TO REFINANCE.
>> WHAT HOMEOWNERS QUALIFY?
>> THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
IN THE ROCHESTER AREA, WE HAVE NOT HAD THE FORECLOSURE ISSUES THAT SAY THE SUN BELT HAS HAD WHERE YOU HAVE HUGE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE BEING FORECLOSED ON.
WE STILL HAVE FORECLOSURE ISSUES IN NEW YORK STATE, AND WE HAVE LOW INCOME PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING FORECLOSURES.
A LOT OF IT WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER YOU HAVE TWO MORTGAGES ON A HOUSE, IF THE RATIO OF YOUR LOAN TO THE VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE THAT WILL BE WITHIN THE PARAMETERS TO SEE IF YOU CAN GET RELIEF.
IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY.
>> NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT HAPPY WITH EXCELLUS.
>> AND CAUGHT A -- ACCORDING TO AN INVESTIGATION, THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUT OF NETWORK DOCTOR VISITS HAS BEEN WAY TOO LOW FOR FAR TOO LONG FOR CONSUMERS.
OBVIOUSLY HEALTH CARE COSTS HAVE GONE UP.
THE PREMIUMS MIGHT BE OUT OF WHACK.
A NUMBER OF INSURERS HAVE MODIFIED THEIR SYSTEM BASED ON THE AG'S COMPLAINT.
THERE ARE STILL SOME ROADBLOCKS SO THEY WILL TRY TO SUE TO GET THINGS TO WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAY THEY SHOULD BE.
>> ENERGY EAST HAS REPORTED A PROFIT DECLINE.
>> IT IS 49% FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER.
THE SIGNIFICANCE IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SAYING WE NEED TO RAISE RATES ON ENERGY EAST CUSTOMERS, PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME BECAUSE WE ARE NOT MAKING AS MUCH MONEY AND OUR PROFITS ARE DECLINING DRAMATICALLY AND WE NEED TO RAISE RATES.
IF YOU RECALL BACK IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN ENERGIES WAS BOUGHT, THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT RAISE RATES UNLESS A BIG ECONOMIC ISSUE WOULD COME ALONG.
NOW THIS ECONOMIC ISSUE HAS COME ALONG AND THEY NEED TO RAISE RATES.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
THAT IS IT FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEED TO KNOW."