LETTERS: Residency and state tuition, policy change for doctors

Residency should factor in tuition

I read with interest the letter regarding out-of-state SUNY tuition and agree 100 percent . The tuition for Suffolk County Community College should also be raised substantially for out-of-state and non-U.S. residents.

As recently as August 2009, students who were not legal residents of the United States but who graduated from a New York State high school could attend the community college by swearing in an affidavit that they would seek legal residency. The affidavits were notarized and filed away.

However, in my five years of employment at the college - I'm retired now - I never saw anyone check the affidavits or follow up on them. Meanwhile, U.S. citizens can't afford to attend most colleges. Perhaps they should be able to swear an affidavit that they will pay as soon as possible, and it can be filed with the others.

Doris A. Schneider, Flanders

Regarding the letter urging higher tuition fees for out of state residents applying to SUNY: Here's why it shouldn't be done.

While visiting SUNY Cortland for my daughter, we were informed that due to budget constraints, out-of-state students who already pay more tuition to attend SUNY schools would be given higher priority than state residents.

I was outraged. State residents, who have spent a good portion of their taxes subsidizing SUNY schools for decades, should get first priority - especially since many of these schools have more students applying to them than they can handle, thanks to the economy.

Donald Davret, Roslyn

Better policy makes for better doctors

Dr. Lawrence Smith's "Build a better doctor" highlights the tremendous opportunity and promise that medical education has to contribute to transforming patient care.

Indeed, there are overwhelming disconnects between traditional medical education and truly patient-centered care that would include addressing cultural competency, health literacy, psychosocial issues and collaborating with community resources, to name a few.

There are policy-level changes that need to occur to support a practice arena that promotes patient-centered care rather then sending well-educated, well-intended physicians into an arena that does not allow time or support the processes that would enhance patient care.

The birth of Hofstra Medical School offers Long Island the opportunity to come together to advocate for changes that will sustain patient-centered practices.

Dr. Dina Joy Lieser, Melville

Editor's note: The writer is executive director of Docs for Tots, a children's advocacy organization.