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Protecting health coverage still Job 1
2006 was an encouraging year for the PEF Retirees. Our regional chapters
continued to grow, with an ever increasing core of senior activists.
PEF retirees demonstrated their value as skilled and dedicated political
activists in the election as they worked for PEF-endorsed candidates.
Our principal legislative effort was directed toward protecting our health
insurance benefit. The present arrangement allows the president of the state
Civil Service Commission (a gubernatorial appointee) to set the terms of our
health insurance benefits without union negotiations or legislative review.
Over the past several years we have been fighting for a law that ensures retiree
health insurance would not be diminished unless an equivalent change is made for
active state employees. Because of your efforts, that legislation, once again,
was passed by the state Legislature in 2006 only to be vetoed by Gov. George
Pataki.
The PEF Retirees will continue to work for this health care legislation in 2007.
We want our retiree health insurance to be linked to negotiated benefits because
the current arrangement leaves us vulnerable to an arbitrary diminution of our
health insurance benefits at any time.
As an example, in 2006, the state unilaterally decided to change the source of
reimbursement for Medicare Part B premiums. That resulted in higher premiums for
both retirees and active state employees. When PEF challenged it, the state’s
action was supported by the state Supreme Court. Fortunately, the Appellate
Division has unanimously overruled that decision and agreed with PEF that the
state broke the law.
This type of arbitrary action, with lower court approval, should alarm all of
us. It is no secret the assault on health insurance protection is a national
concern for all working people and retirees.
We took our jobs with New York state because we believed we would be provided
with a decent pension and health care in retirement. We know there are radical
political and economic groups advocating for the severe reduction or elimination
of retiree health care coverage in this country. It is alarming that our
benefits may be at risk.
The PEF Retirees would like to thank all our members who visited or contacted
their legislators on behalf of the change in law we are seeking, the activists
who sent thousands of letters to their lawmakers, and the 400 PEF convention
delegates who signed our petition in support of this bill.
We ask everyone to continue their support in 2007. Hopefully, with a new
governor, we will obtain the health-insurance-protection legislation we deserve.
The Communicator Feb. 2007
Features
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The Winner's Circle
Departments
President's Message
You
Said It
Member Mobilization
Legislative Action
Retirees In Action
Getting To Know PEF
The Back
Cover Ad
Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Black Caucus plan reception
Nurses' plan Lobby Day
Lawmakers visit CDPC
Sunmount member dies
Div. 343 mouurns member
Federal
budget battles
The Joy of Giving
COLA is top contract
issue
Military leave benefits extended
PEF wins Medicare Pt. B lawsuit
Redler earns activism award
E. Board prepares for future
E. Brd. vacancy filled, seats open
LabCorp gets Empire contract
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