As the 2025 UFT election ramps up, Unity desperately seeks to take the focus off what they did to our healthcare and refusal to atone. They've enlisted Leo and Lynne to deny, defend and distract.
Add Rodney Grubiak to the list of Unity cohorts whose purpose for the last three years was to push us into MA whose purpose now is to get us to turn against the RTC leadership.
I am anti-Unity and Mulgrew but I am very disappointed with our group for inviting Rivera to discuss the MY Health Act. It gives the perception of us considering it as a possibility. It should never have been something we considered at all. I thought the purpose of our group was to 100% KEEP OUR MEDICARE. Why would we even seek to look for information on an alternative?
In addition, I think we would have been up in arms, had Unity brought this up!
In 2021 a letter was sent from the MLC (Mulgrew & Harry) to NYS legislators asking them to carve public sectors unions out of NYHA because they like the bargaining with our health insurance:
"over these years we have also sacrificed wage increases to
advance quality care and maintain the current cost structure. Workers
have already “paid” for their benefits. Indeed, because of this economic
tradeoff, we previously suggested that MLC-member workforces be
carved out of the statewide bill. Unfortunately, that suggestion has not
"We heard Unity testify that MA was not good enough for them, they wanted Senior Care. If it isn’t good enough for you, why would it be good for the rest of us? Or anyone?"
I stood up at the first RTC meeting and I'll say it here, even though it's a moot point because WE, THE UFT, WILL NOT BE HAVING A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CARE PLAN, but I personally testified because I wanted choice! I did not say I wanted Senior Care. I was very recently put into "Senior Care" when I testified to actually know what it was. What I did know was that if/when I was put into an MA, that was it. I had no choice. I could NOT switch back unless the Administrative Code was amended. An amended Administrative Code would have given us choice. They didn't vote on it. We didn't get it, we had no choice. That was it, period.
Having Senator Rivera speak to us about a concept, and not a plan does not sit well with me at all. Why would we want to pass along something that excludes our members outside of New York State when we are all UFT? He said "They'll figure it out." At who's expense? Ours? Isn't this one SINGLE plan just like another MA (or whatever you want to call it) without any CHOICE? What about the New Yorkers that have private plans, would they have to leave New York state because they do not want this plan? What would happen if NY employers leave New York state, or if the wealthy decided not to pay their taxes who's picking up the slack in this New York State Health Act? Will it be on our backs? These are the questions that I would have loved to ask but I'm sure they haven't been considered. Living out on Long Island I pay enough in taxes. I do not wish to pay more for my health because of these unanswered questions. Yes, we need to do something about our health care, but
NYHA is the answer. FEDERAL Waivers are currently needed for Medicare & Medicaid. Do you think Trump is thinking about giving NY state anything we need in the next four years? SS and Medicare are on the top of their list for CUTTING NATIONWIDE!
Cost to taxpayers: The NYHA would be financed by taxpayers, and some say it would result in a massive tax increase. The RAND Corporation estimated the cost to taxpayers would be $160 billion in the first year alone.
Correct. That number may seem scary, but we already pay tens of billions per year into healthcare as a state. It actually isn't too much more than we spend now. After implementation, NYS will then save billions by cutting out the private insurance, negotiating drug and procedure prices, etc.
Public sector employees will pay nothing. While NYHA is funded by a graduated payroll tax according to income in which 95-98% of folks (earning under 400k) will pay less than they do now, it is in the bill that the city (our employer) must continue to pay the same contribution rate under NYHA. That is 100%. So, we would not pay a cent. No co-pay, deductible, nothing. and NYers will also have access to long-term care which they do not have know under current plans.
If you are out-of-state you maintain what you have now. You lose nothing. All in-state retirees and actives gain so much. The "figure it out" part is only how to add additional benefits to what you already have. Not bad.
Sen Rivera stated they would not be part of NYHA until they figured it out. Since our Retired UFT brothers and sisters
were employees of the city of NY and have our Healthcare coverage currently (or the equivalent to) out of state, this could possibly leave them without any healthcare coverage until they figure out how this plan would be implemented. Retirees may not have that time, as we grow older. Also, where is the choice in this plan, should we not like it? I don't recall him offering any additional plans.
While out-of-state retirees arent under NYHA, they maintain exactly what they have now without changes. It would be as if NYHA was never enacted.
I am pulling this quote from a recent email correspondance with the author of the bill, assembly member Dick Gottfried
"The key thing for UFT retirees who move to FL is that their retiree health benefits will not be affected in any way by the enactment of NYH. And for UFT retirees who remain NY residents, their health benefits will be wildly better than what they have now. No deductibles, no co-pays, no restricted provider network or drug formulary, and with full dental, hearing and vision benefits and long-term care."
Is the UFT Retiree Chapter’s Facebook page authorized by the UFT Retiree Chapter? If not, the UFT should issue a cease and desist letter to enjoin the use of the UFT Retiree Chapter name in Facebook.
Add Rodney Grubiak to the list of Unity cohorts whose purpose for the last three years was to push us into MA whose purpose now is to get us to turn against the RTC leadership.
I am anti-Unity and Mulgrew but I am very disappointed with our group for inviting Rivera to discuss the MY Health Act. It gives the perception of us considering it as a possibility. It should never have been something we considered at all. I thought the purpose of our group was to 100% KEEP OUR MEDICARE. Why would we even seek to look for information on an alternative?
In addition, I think we would have been up in arms, had Unity brought this up!
You would keep it. NYHA doesn't take anything away.
In 2021 a letter was sent from the MLC (Mulgrew & Harry) to NYS legislators asking them to carve public sectors unions out of NYHA because they like the bargaining with our health insurance:
"over these years we have also sacrificed wage increases to
advance quality care and maintain the current cost structure. Workers
have already “paid” for their benefits. Indeed, because of this economic
tradeoff, we previously suggested that MLC-member workforces be
carved out of the statewide bill. Unfortunately, that suggestion has not
been included in the current bill".
We need healthcare off the bargaining table.
Arthur, your point #7 is a False narrative.
"We heard Unity testify that MA was not good enough for them, they wanted Senior Care. If it isn’t good enough for you, why would it be good for the rest of us? Or anyone?"
I stood up at the first RTC meeting and I'll say it here, even though it's a moot point because WE, THE UFT, WILL NOT BE HAVING A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CARE PLAN, but I personally testified because I wanted choice! I did not say I wanted Senior Care. I was very recently put into "Senior Care" when I testified to actually know what it was. What I did know was that if/when I was put into an MA, that was it. I had no choice. I could NOT switch back unless the Administrative Code was amended. An amended Administrative Code would have given us choice. They didn't vote on it. We didn't get it, we had no choice. That was it, period.
Having Senator Rivera speak to us about a concept, and not a plan does not sit well with me at all. Why would we want to pass along something that excludes our members outside of New York State when we are all UFT? He said "They'll figure it out." At who's expense? Ours? Isn't this one SINGLE plan just like another MA (or whatever you want to call it) without any CHOICE? What about the New Yorkers that have private plans, would they have to leave New York state because they do not want this plan? What would happen if NY employers leave New York state, or if the wealthy decided not to pay their taxes who's picking up the slack in this New York State Health Act? Will it be on our backs? These are the questions that I would have loved to ask but I'm sure they haven't been considered. Living out on Long Island I pay enough in taxes. I do not wish to pay more for my health because of these unanswered questions. Yes, we need to do something about our health care, but
NYHA is the answer. FEDERAL Waivers are currently needed for Medicare & Medicaid. Do you think Trump is thinking about giving NY state anything we need in the next four years? SS and Medicare are on the top of their list for CUTTING NATIONWIDE!
We can do it with or without the waiver. The Rand corp did the analysis.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2424.html
Cost to taxpayers: The NYHA would be financed by taxpayers, and some say it would result in a massive tax increase. The RAND Corporation estimated the cost to taxpayers would be $160 billion in the first year alone.
Correct. That number may seem scary, but we already pay tens of billions per year into healthcare as a state. It actually isn't too much more than we spend now. After implementation, NYS will then save billions by cutting out the private insurance, negotiating drug and procedure prices, etc.
Public sector employees will pay nothing. While NYHA is funded by a graduated payroll tax according to income in which 95-98% of folks (earning under 400k) will pay less than they do now, it is in the bill that the city (our employer) must continue to pay the same contribution rate under NYHA. That is 100%. So, we would not pay a cent. No co-pay, deductible, nothing. and NYers will also have access to long-term care which they do not have know under current plans.
https://www.nyhcampaign.org/howwepayforit
We, or I can agree to disagree. Taxes, waivers etc... plus 4 yrs of Trump. 🤷🏽♀️
NOT the answer... meant to say.
If you are out-of-state you maintain what you have now. You lose nothing. All in-state retirees and actives gain so much. The "figure it out" part is only how to add additional benefits to what you already have. Not bad.
Sen Rivera stated they would not be part of NYHA until they figured it out. Since our Retired UFT brothers and sisters
were employees of the city of NY and have our Healthcare coverage currently (or the equivalent to) out of state, this could possibly leave them without any healthcare coverage until they figure out how this plan would be implemented. Retirees may not have that time, as we grow older. Also, where is the choice in this plan, should we not like it? I don't recall him offering any additional plans.
While out-of-state retirees arent under NYHA, they maintain exactly what they have now without changes. It would be as if NYHA was never enacted.
I am pulling this quote from a recent email correspondance with the author of the bill, assembly member Dick Gottfried
"The key thing for UFT retirees who move to FL is that their retiree health benefits will not be affected in any way by the enactment of NYH. And for UFT retirees who remain NY residents, their health benefits will be wildly better than what they have now. No deductibles, no co-pays, no restricted provider network or drug formulary, and with full dental, hearing and vision benefits and long-term care."
Is the UFT Retiree Chapter’s Facebook page authorized by the UFT Retiree Chapter? If not, the UFT should issue a cease and desist letter to enjoin the use of the UFT Retiree Chapter name in Facebook.