Monday, April 12, 2021

RETIREE ADVOCATE HELPS LEAD IN FIGHT AGAINST MLC FORCING MEDICARE RETIREES INTO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

When NYC Municipal government employee retirees turn 65, Medicare becomes the primary medical insurer. We hear from multiple sources that there are negotiations taking place between NYC and the Municipal Labor Committee, the umbrella group of city government employee unions that negotiates our health benefits, to change retiree healthcare for city retirees.

According to reports, the MLC and City are closing in on a deal that would force Medicare retirees into a Medicare Advantage plan or something similar for their part B (doctors office visits) expenses. That would limit medical choices including quite possibly choice of doctors.

The Retiree Advocate, a group of independent retirees, has a Delegate Assembly resolution to have transparency on this subject (see below).

The Professional Staff Congress (the PSC CUNY union that I also belong to) had a retiree chapter meeting on Zoom. We were informed retiree PSC meetings normally attract 50 people. Last week they had 300 on the Zoom. Retirees are concerned. There is a Change.org petition on this issue.

We will keep you updated when we have more information.

The petition:

There is a “Preserve Medicare Part B for NYC Retirees” petition that someone in COMRO started and is gathering lots of signatures:

The UFT Retiree Advocate DA resolution:

Resolution for Transparency in Health Care Negotiations With New York City, put forward by Retiree Advocates/UFT, on behalf of all UFT retirees and in-service members.


Whereas, Retiree Advocates/UFT is an umbrella group of concerned activists within the UFT Retired Teachers Chapter; and

Whereas, the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) is an umbrella group comprised of representatives of NYC's nearly 100 municipal labor unions, including the UFT; and

Whereas the MLC negotiates health care benefits with New York City on behalf of its rank-and-file members; and

Whereas, the MLC is tasked with finding cost savings for the city - to the tune of $1.1 billion during the current negotiation period (2018-2021) - including $600 Million in fiscal year 2021 alone; and

Whereas, the effects of those cost savings affect the health and welfare of 70,000+ UFT retirees as well as the UFT's 130,000+ in-service members; and

Whereas, the MLC is currently engaged in negotiations that may change the quality and amount of Medicare Part B reimbursements to UFT retirees (or eliminate them completely); and

Whereas, current negotiations between the MLC and the city threaten to replace original Medicare with a Medicare Advantage plan; and

Whereas, Medicare Advantage plans limit their members to use only doctors and hospitals in their network; and

Whereas, the MLC's negotiations occur behind closed doors, without transparency to UFT membership; therefore, be it

RESOLVED that UFT leadership will regularly report on MLC negotiations to its members, (both in-service and retired, at DAs and RTC general meetings); and be it further

RESOLVED that UFT leadership will keep its members apprised of proposed changes in Medicare Part B coverage, particularly changes that may diminish the quality, limit the quantity, and increase the individual costs of health care coverage to its members; and be it further

RESOLVED that UFT Leadership request a moratorium be placed on a final decision regarding proposed changes to Medicare part B until such time that the membership is apprised of all the details involved with any changes, a full discussion has occurred, and input has been received from membership.



46 comments:

  1. WHO says the trajectory of the coronavirus pandemic is now “growing exponentially,” with more than 4.4 million new Covid-19 cases reported over the last week.

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  2. Count on Mulgrew to put up no resistance and cave in.

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  3. WELL MAYBE NOW THE RETIREES WILL RETHINK THEIR BLIND LOYALTY TO MULSHIT.DARE I SAY THEY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE FOR SUPPORTING HIM, THEREBY HIJACKING POSITIVE CONDITIONS FOR ACTIVE MEMBERSI AM REALLY PISSED AFTER READING THIS.I AM CLOSE TO RETIREMENT AND I WANT NO PART OF ADVANTAGE CARR.IF IM NOT MISTAKEN, I HEARD A STORY FROM A FROEND WHERE THEY REFUSED TO APPROVE IMAGING FOR A SUSPECTED BRAIN TUMOR.THE PERSON WENT UNTREATED AND DIED.NOT 100%SURE IF THIS WAS ADVANTAGE CARE BUT TIS IS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT.RETIREES USUALLY HAVE MORE SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE A DOC FROM A SHIT PLAN LIKE THIS WHERE U HAVE TO WAIT FOR ALL THESE APPROCALS.THAT IS ENOUGH TO MB AKE ME LEAVE NY WHERE THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE CATE AND I CAN HOPEFULLY KEEP GHI.SHANE ON MULSHIT.AND EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS THIS POOR EXCUSE OF A HUMAN BEING.

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  4. And we will be next as well.

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  5. I'm actually kind of surprised, retirees are Mulgrew's golden goose. Unity gets huge support from retirees.

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  6. Good reason not to retire.so u can keep ghi.GOOD HEALTH INDEED AKA GHI.maybe ghi can help.but my chiropractor just dropped ghi saying they take too long to process claims.

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  7. This will kill people. Physically and financially. Municipal unions, come on! Isn't it bad enough that retirees can't afford to live in this city, do we have to further destroy them? Say what you want about GHI, it gives you access to better doctors than free clinic rejects.

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  8. Good reason not to retire.so u can keep ghi.GOOD HEALTH INDEED AKA GHI.maybe ghi can help.but my chiropractor just dropped ghi saying they take too long to process claims.

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  9. I have great luck with ghi.

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  10. Next will be active retirees benefits eroded.pensions after that?when ur near retirement, u will never get a job teaching in Long isand.i bet they aren't going through this.

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  11. Retirees now getting pissed at Mulgrew? Welcome to the party pal.

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  12. I’m not counting on the UFT. They constantly disappoint. I’m planning on spending what my father spends on his supplemental coverage to Medicare with inflationary increase in cost by the time I am on Medicare. Right now dad pays about $350 per month, no medical co pays and it includes prescriptions with copays that run about an additional $100 to $150 per month. Until we have a Congress that is willing to stop taking money from big pharma, we are screwed with the absurd prescription costs.

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  13. Strange, I made a rather non-controversial comment that I was surprised given that retirees are where Mulgrew and Unity bread their butter, and it's nowhere to be found.

    Re GHI: I've had doctors drop it. They're slow to pay and pay peanuts. Minimal (with the rider) per month but you end up paying through the nose for non-participating labs at your in-network doctor, non-participating doctors at the ER, etc. Also I lost count of how many word of mouth recommendations I've gotten for doctors to find out they don't take GHi. I would gladly pay a few hundred a month for a better plan but the city makes us bear the full cost of the other plans it offers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield.

    For those looking to move to greener pastures, be very careful. Many doctors listed in the GHI online lookup don't actually take GHI. You have to call the offices individually to check. Put your new zip code you're interested in AND call the doctors.

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    1. TJL, I don't recall not putting through one of your comments. Sorry about the mixup but I don't think it was on my end.

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  14. https://nypost.com/2021/04/12/new-yorkers-with-chronic-illness-need-deliverance-from-this-unfair-insurer-practice/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=message_app

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  15. Many retirees that are hitting 65 and find themselves in dire need of medical insurance advice (due to being taken off NYC’s medical insurance services) are frustrated by the lack of information and guidance on the part of the UFT. I have one formerly extremely loyal UFT friend who has been paying less than $200 a month since he retired at 55 and is now forced to pay $800 per month because of his pre-existing conditions. He’s not alone and there is a growing group of angry retirees. The recent retirees are not the same group of first Tier folks that received fantastic pensions. These retirees are struggling and disgusted from a combination of events that resulted in their retiring - veteran targeting, micro-management, abusive students, ATR pool, Fair Student Funding as well as their current circumstances - waiting for 12 year retro with triple dues and the lack of leadership from the UFT. The lack of transparency and the continual trading of benefits in the form of cost sharing is getting ridiculous. Co- payments are now $50 and $30 respectively. MRIs, CAT scans have to be approved in advance and the wait may be deadly. Express scripts is especially awful, in that there is a time lapse between getting your prescriptions initially filled and their incompetence that could result in a long lapse that could result in disaster.

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  16. Mulgrew is the usual guest of Tom Murphy at the monthly RTC Zoom meeting this afternoon. Wonder what they will discuss?
    Most of the meetings over the year and a half were dominated by how it was important for Biden and Democrats to win—in order to benefit the union and pandemic related issues. Apparently, it doesn’t matter which party is in power—the middle class/working class will always get screwed—especially when it comes to health care and costs. Bernie Sanders—where are you?

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  17. Amazing there is money for full k-12 summer program but we had to wait 10 months for our 12 year old backpay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!What about spring break 2020!

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  18. It's the end of the world. The second coming is tomorrow.

    Asshole on the ICEBlog: Where is my spring break 2020 money?

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  19. 1115, would you agree we are owed pay and we are waiting with no answers? Think that is fair?

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  20. Yes but this is about Medicare retirees who are worried about their healthcare.

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  21. 6:41...can you share the plan please?
    As far as ghi, I found very good care.someone suggested a doc who was nasty and after 1 visit, I switched without issues.i had several opinions on an injury.i guess if u go in hospital, you have to be careful.ypu also have to make sure u get a participating lab.
    But we need to derail this labor proposal.so unfair.how do we do this?we have mb marshal all unions and do b.c a phone bank.but uft closed...I guess I have to stay healthy on my own or risk a flunkies killing me thru medical errors.this is what we have to look forward to for retirement....and they never cover holistic things even they are lifesaving.how do we not get depressed and frustrated??retirees...it is karma for supporting anti educator mulgrew.shame on n all of you.

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  22. Don't forget there is always money for the ATR as well.

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  23. Just came away from the Retired Teachers Chapter monthly meeting. No wonder many people consider it a waste. The holy trio of Murphy, Mulgrew, and Sorkin did not level with us on the NYC plan to remove Medicare Part B from retirees in July. Vague assurances. Worse than tone deaf! Spent not even ten minutes on it. They did not even disclose that NYC has a deadline about to land on each of our doorsteps (and checkbooks.) Being retirees does not equal comatose. We have family, friends, neighbors from sister unions some more honest and timely with their members than UFT.

    Good luck to the Retire Advocates at the Delegate Assembly tomorrow!!! We are counting on you to provide a reality check to laggard leadership. Just wish all of us could be there to see/hear the proceedings.

    And to those of you who will get on here and whine about seven other unrelated issues within a posting: A) File your comments with the posting that relates most closely to your issue where it makes sense. B) Get over yourself. Retirees are glad to support you. We need your support now. Retired ranks include many tough survivors of awful experiences in the system. Makes retirement sweeter, especially when we stay healthy.

    This issue MUST be met now, head on! Remember, once they take away health care and impoverish retirees, NYC will do the same for in-service of every chapter and license!!!

    Thanks for your support.

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  24. Now that the retirees hate Mulgrew, he has no pals anymore.

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  25. Well we all mostly agree that Mulgrew is a moron, can he be that stupid to alienate retirees? That’s how Unity loses elections I would think since retirees vote and active teacher vote is at 4:1 ratio.

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  26. I retired (with the state) and didn't realize that I had to sign my 65+ husband up for medicare. I thought that he would continue to be covered by the family plan that I still pay for. My union, the retirement system and even the health insurance company were close to useless as far as helpful info. Just as a word to the wise, if your spouse is 65+, find out the info you need well in advance. Retirement was a big enough shock, try to iron out all the wrinkles ahead of time.

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  27. 250,
    Retirees support us by voting overwhelmingly for mulgrew? LOL.

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  28. Mulgrew today did say that Medicare Reimbursements for retirees are non-negotiable. He also tried to convince retirees that there is a direct connection with the UFT primary support of the right Mayoral candidate and healthcare. The UFT track record on choosing the right primary candidate for Mayor has been dismal for the past 30 years.
    In addition, both Mulgrew and this guy named Sorkin—were very vague about the future of healthcare for all UFT members—both presently working and retired. They mentioned some bull about how the UFT is now an active consumer union in picking a health plan-in addition to being a political labor union. They promised that all members will have choices and any health coverage would be better —however, they didn't give any details as negotiations are ongoing for city unions.

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  29. Is there hit money for the bozos?

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  30. I guess the solution is work till u drop if u want to keep ghi...unless they get rid of ghi for us too.this is all so disgusting.mildoo is the devious Bill Gates of our profession.cant we overwhelmingly impeach him or some other way to boot him out.i am thinking there are payoffs if all these union heads are caving in.very fishy.ask your elected democrats who promised the world.and Biden too.it is dog eat dog.stay healthy and hope u dont need medical care or move abroad.this is what I suffered for...

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  31. Just wanted to add a little piece on the different tiers, retirement and retirees. The UFT seems to be slowly transitioning into an entity that will have very, very few retirees. It will be (if it survives) partly or mostly established in charter schools. I say this because the UFT understands (and helped craft a) tier 6 which makes it basically impossible to retire and has been actively and discreetly undermining our healthcare benefits, while increasing our contributions. It is currently including pro-charter school mayoral candidates for potential endorsement. As the retirees from tiers 1-5 die off completely, the UFT will be unrecognizable. They are actively laying the foundation for that entity now.

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  32. @4:56 EXACTLYYYY, why the hell do I want retired teachers having a vote for Mulgrew, they are not teaching they are not in the trenches!!! 86% is ridiculous.

    Why do we not as a union enforce term limits 🤬🤬. I do not care if you are the Messiah, 6-8 years is enough. Diblasio and mayoral control must go.

    Please get a god damn common sense chancellor who has 15-20 years of teaching in the DOE.

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  33. Hey Anno 6:15: So Mulgrew said that any changes to retiree healthcare are "non-negotiable?" Have you not listed to Mulgrew in the past year? He used that same phrase quite a few times since covid started and flip flopped on every one. Mulgrew can't be trusted and he has proven this to everybody. He is trying pander his appeal to big wigs in the business and political world to prepare for an eventual transition to working in the private sector. He does not give a shit about us or retirees. I am so happy that the internet exists today as he he can't hide his actions like other Unity goons did in the past.

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  34. The UFT does not advocate on behalf of its active and retired members. The UFT has never missed an opportunity to giveback hard won union benefits, period.

    Watch Mulgrew give back our postretirement and health benefits again and again.

    This is what you are paying your dues for. For Mulgrew to giveback your benefits, compromise your health and endanger your safety. The Union is a wonderful institution, so keep paying your dues.

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  35. 9:54 why would they want to self destruct?that would end their cushy high paying jobs.am I missing something? But I do see that most would not do their 6 retirement...it would be just a job like mcdonalds...

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  36. James, how can we rally the retirees to not vote for mulgrew and to get another caucus in power?this is our only saving grace as I see it.

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  37. Someone needs to take a trip to FL...

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  38. 8:27, nothing would change for the Uft other than most due paying members would be teaching for 5-10 years rather than 20-30 years and it would branch out into charter schools for even more members . No more catering to retirees or trying to keep veteran teachers happy simply because there wouldn’t be any. The tremendous savings for the city would result in significantly higher pay (and dues for the UFT) for the short term teacher. This philosophy can be seen and how the UFT has marginalized veteran teachers via the ATR pool and the use of Fair Student Funding.

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  39. Mulgrew keeps saying changes to retiree health care are non-negotiable. No details, just vague assurances. Same story at RTC meetings, health & benefits meetings, DA. He keeps casting himself in the hero's role, then changes the subject, fast. Other unions mount campaigns to fight back. Mulgrew pushes it under the rug. Retirees hit by tsunami.

    A retiree leading a push back in another union explained that UFT retirees' healthcare truly is non-negotiable. Mulgrew signed on the dotted line with NYC several years ago to strip UFT retirees of Medicare Part B and he has already collected the cash. Mulgrew's behavior is creating problems for other unions that really want a longer timeline to have open discussion with their members.

    Anyone ask for your input? Operating in secrecy. Corruption? Fraud? Unity oath? How many in the UFT hierarchy are complicit?


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  40. Hey Anon5:20–No big fan of Mulgrew. But I saw and heard Mulgrew say yesterday that any change to Medicare Reimbursements for Retirees is ‘off the table’. Sounds like nothing more code language —meaning to be prepared to pay a ‘health fee’ for the Medicare reimbursements.
    But he seemed to contradict himself with claims about the recent news with healthcare changes. The troubling part is how he spoke about the idea that there are plenty of rumors out there about HealthCare changes—and at the same time acknowledged that rising healthcare costs continue —but that members will have more and better health products choices to choose from —which apparently includes Medicare Advantage. So there are changes on the horizon—and although both Mulgrew and Geoff Sorkin gave positive spins—with little supporting details or evidence other than then saying they claimed ‘don’t worry’ because the UFT is different from other city unions because this union is a ‘very smart consumer union’—especially when it comes to healthcare. And of course he emphasized the importance of choosing friendly political candidates for the upcoming citywide elections—although I thought the friendly UFT politicians have already been there for the past several years.

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  41. James, sadly, I think you are right.uft needs to implode and we need a new union.send the rockets back into the classrooms.i bet yhe thought of a classroom pushes them to run into retirement.it is very sad because many people gave hard sacrifices for the inception of uft.so now what do we do?

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  42. Aren’t the union leadership expecting the same retiree medical benefits from nyc as the rest of us? If so, I don’t see them slitting their own throats.

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  43. 3:42 - They won’t be slitting their own throats, they’ll be the only ones that will be able to reach retirement, in large part because they aren’t in schools trying to teach under impossible circumstances. Be aware they get a double pension (NYC and UFT) along with their double salaries (NYC and UFT).

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  44. Post copied from the Change.org petition


    https://www.change.org/p/mayor-de-blasio-preserve-medicare-part-b-for-nyc-retirees



    DeBlasio's parting gift to his Neo-Liberal financial backers? Make no mistake, if this goes through, the next stop will be to force everyone into a Medicare Advantage Plan. Few people realize that 35-40% of Medicare eligibles are now enrolled in for-profit Medicare Advantage plans. Such plans are part of the back door strategy for realizing the Rights ultimate goal: destroying Medicare and Social Security through privatization. It would be truly ironic if public sector workers contributed to this goal. Resist!

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  45. Other than the change.org petition and the proposed resolution by Retiree Advocate I’m not finding anything out there suggesting pushback.
    Is anyone organizing a blitz of feedback to Mulgrew? We need to organize or please tell me where this is already happening!

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