New millennium, new hope
Please read your NYSHIP information very carefully. Your Empire Plan Prescription costs have increased. Your co-pays are now $5 for a generic drug and $15 for non-generic. Some HMOs have increased their prescription co-pays to $10 for generic drugs.
Family coverage for the Empire Plan has been increased to $100.83 per month. Be sure to check the charges on your year-end pension report.
Gov. George Pataki vetoed the Health Protection Act, which would have protected retirees from reduced health coverage after retirement. The governor has given no reason for his veto.
On the positive side, spouses covered under a retiree's health plan will automatically receive the Medicare reimbursement of $45.20.
We have talked about this issue for a long time, and thank NYSHIP for making the change to apply when the dependent spouse turns 65.
Congratulations to Utica Chapter President Marilyn Mahanna for the great turnout for their November meeting, which was held at the NYS United Teachers' Office in New Hartford.
And our heartfelt thanks to Audrey Snyder, who is retiring as Syracuse Chapter president, for her long and faithful service.
In December, I attended the American Federation of Teachers Retiree Conference in Washington, D.C. The largest AFT Retiree event to date, it drew some 250 representatives from all over the country.
Another great event was PEF's contract rally in Albany on January 5, which sent a strong message to Pataki.
It was my 25th bus trip to one of these events, and this was the most effective and outstanding rally, so far.
All I ask of you for the new millennium is that you stay active in PEF Retirees and keep telling your legislators to pass our legislation.