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PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks And New York Democratic Members
Urge FAA to Modernize New York Air Traffic Control
(Continued from page 1) delivers maximum public ben- region must be a top priority for
efit, federal ATC modernization modernization. Accordingly, we
“We appreciate the FAA’s must focus first on the areas urge the FAA to proceed without
commitment to modernizing the where improvements will have delay in launching the required
nation’s airspace and look forward the greatest national impact. With ATC modernization study and to
to swift implementation now that its unmatched passenger volume ensure the needs of the New York
a prime integrator is in place. To and critical role in the broader region are fully prioritized and
ensure that public investment aviation network, the New York addressed.”

State Senate Passes Bill To Combat Undiagnosed
Diabetes In AAPI Communities

(Continued from page 1) munity from receiving necessary tes risk at lower BMI thresholds.
diagnosis and care.” Too often, diabetes goes undiag-
step in addressing the alarmingly State Assembly Member nosed until serious complications
high rate of undiagnosed diabetes Ron Kim stated, “This legisla- develop — outcomes that can be
in Asian American communities. tion marks an important step prevented with timely screening.
Medical studies have shown forward in our continued efforts By closing this coverage gap, New
that Asian Americans are more to address diabetes in our com- York is taking an important step
likely to develop diabetes at lower munities. While diabetes is often toward more equitable, evidence-
BMIs than other populations, yet overlooked as an issue impacting based preventive care that will
improve health outcomes for com-
A & F Auto Repairs, Inc. current standards don’t recom- Asian Americans, research con-
mend screenings until a BMI sistently shows that it can have munities in Queens and across
General Auto Repairs of 25. This legislation requires serious health consequences for the state.”
our community at even lower BMI Kaushal Challa, CEO, Charles
insurance plans to cover screen-
(Foreingn and Domestic) ings starting at a BMI of 23 and levels than others. I am grateful B. Wang Community Health Cen-
Accessories would eliminate deductibles, co- to continue partnering with our ter, stated, “We support S634B/
• Tires • Batteries payments, and other out-of-pocket community and legislative part- A1206 and advancing it as part
• Electronic Tune-ups costs that often prevent early ners on this critical bill, and we of the Senate’s Affordable Health
• Inspection Station detection and timely treatment. remain committed to working Care package. At the Charles B.
• Towing The bill aligns with campaigns diligently to see it passed in the Wang Community Health Center,
ARIS & FRANK like the “Screen at 23” campaign Assembly this year.” we see every day how critical
as well as nationally recognized Monica Billger, Director of early screening is in preventing
43-05 111th Street • Corona Heights, NY recommendations from the Amer- State Government Affairs for the diabetes—especially in Asian
Greek, Spanish and Italian Spoken ican Diabetes Association and American Diabetes Association, American communities, where
risk begins at lower body weight.
Centers for Disease Control, stated, “Early diagnosis and inter-
(718) 592-7470 (718) 699-2499 which note that current screen- vention can help prevent or delay By lowering the BMI threshold
ing guidelines leave many in the diabetes and improve outcomes. for diabetes screenings from 25
AAPI community undiagnosed Expanding access to screening to 23, this bill will ensure more
Read Our Paper Online Visit our and vulnerable. is critical in helping address the New Yorkers receive timely, pre-
website: www.queenstimes.com State Senator John Liu stated, epidemic of diabetes and its dev- ventive care. We proudly support
or scan QR code “Including this legislation as astating complications.” this measure as a vital step toward
part of the Senate’s Affordable Charles Lopresto, Internal prevention and improved health
Healthcare Package is a critical Medicine Physician in Queens outcomes for all.”
step in addressing the high rates and Chair of the Legislative Com- George Liu, MD, PhD, Presi- (Continued on page 3)
Subscribe to the of undiagnosed diabetes in Asian mittee for the Medical Society of dent and CEO of Coalition of
the County Of Queens, stated, “As Asian American IPA (CAIPA),
Queens Times panding access to screenings at Chair of the Legislative Commit- stated, “Asian Americans develop
American communities. By ex-
lower BMI levels, we can ensure tee for the Medical Society of the diabetes at lower BMI levels, yet
earlier detection and better health County of Queens, I am proud to our screening standards have
`Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens outcomes for those who otherwise support this legislation to ensure not kept pace with the science.
may go undiagnosed. Affordable insurance coverage for diabetes A BMI threshold of 23 allows
Just $57.00 per year... and have the paper healthcare starts with preven- screening at a BMI of 23. This us to identify risk earlier and
delivered to your door by US Mail tion, and this legislation directly policy reflects well-established intervene before irreversible
addresses a shortcoming in state clinical evidence that Asian damage occurs. This is a neces-
Please Enter my Subscription For One Year law and insurance standards that American and Pacific Islander sary, evidence-based step toward
for too long has kept our com- individuals face increased diabe- equitable preventive care.”
Name ..............................................................................
Governor Hochul Marches In Annual Chinatown
Address .......................................................................... Lunar New Year Parade
City..................................................Zip........................... (Continued from page 1) place your home and are feeling And yes, I was so proud to
under attack right now and worried bring out my pen and sign the bill
Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: NYS Govenor Kathy Hochul, about immigration enforcement, presented by Grace Lee and Brian
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 said, Xin nian kuai le! I got it right, know that we are on your side. We Kavanaugh to make Lunar New
didn’t I? I could not be proud to be are going to do everything we can Year, the first place in the country
standing right here, right now in to protect you and try to shut that to celebrate and give the children
the heart of the Asian community down because this is your home. a day off school. Snow day or not,
— Chinatown USA. To all of our You have helped us make this such no school, Mr. Mayor. So to our
visitors who came around the world an enriched, diverse, fascinating mayor, to all of our elected leaders,
to celebrate this, we welcome all place and we don’t want to lose one I want to join all of you and cel-
of you. But to those who call this fiber of that. ebrate. Let’s get this parade started.
Published every week by CT Publishing Corp.
Executive Office: 102-54 Nicolls Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 Attorney General James Releases 2025’s Top Consumer
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tional Consumer Protection Week said in the release. “My office plaints involving online purchas-
by unveiling the top 10 consumer will not tolerate companies that es, deceptive advertising, price
James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor complaints her office received in take advantage of New Yorkers… gouging, defective merchandise,
Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster 2025, highlighting widespread I urge everyone to stay alert and and poor customer service.
Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent concerns about high prices, hous- report suspected scams and fraud • Internet — 4,595 complaints
Nicole Rescigno.....................Office Manager ing disputes, bank fraud, and to my office.” tied to service providers, data
Joseph V. Dorsa ...................Photo Journalist online privacy violations. James Top Consumer Complaints of privacy, digital media, and online
Joseph Natalle .......................Photojournalist also issued an extensive set of tips 2025 manipulation.
The Queens Times, USPS # P127 AIC060 is published weekly by CT Publishing
Corp. for an annual subscription charge of $57.00, mail subscription request to to help New Yorkers avoid scams The Attorney General’s Of- • Automobile — 4,521 com-
Queens Times, 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357, Periodicals Postage at and report fraud. fice logged tens of thousands of plaints about car sales, repairs,
Flushing, NY. “New Yorkers are already feel- complaints last year. Retail sales financing, and service.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Times at 11-20 154th Street, ing the squeeze of higher prices, topped the list, followed closely
Whitestone, NY 11357 and scams, hidden fees, and de- by internet-related fraud and au- (Continued on page 3)