Succession

It was a long, long time ago when the New York downstate Blue Cross Blue Shield plan I worked for merged with an upstate plan that centered around Albany and the surrounding counties. In those days, a given state could have several Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, independent of each other, but all belonging to an Association.

At one particular meeting that was held in our downstate offices, someone asked the Vice President of Marketing if he foresaw any further mergers that might take place in the state, further consolidating the plans.

The vice president, Robert McGrath, demurred for a few Jack Benny-like seconds and replied, "Not without some deaths and retirements." That's how he saw further consolidation in the state: someone had to get out of the way, either through death or leaving.

I always liked the reply and was reminded of it when I read a piece in this Monday's NYT on he special elections that were being held throughout New York State on Tuesday.

The reporter, Lisa W. Foderaro does a yeoman's job of summarizing all the vacancies, in the Senate and in the Assembly, that are expected to be filled by the special election. And there are lots of them.

First, the senate vacancies are discussed and handicapped. Then, the Assembly races are outlined with a salty observation of New York politics, and probably all politics in general.

Two fresh vacancies in the Assembly, resulting from the two certainties of life in Albany—death and indictment—will be decided in the November election.

All sorts of things make the line move.

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