Keep Medicare as is

To the editor:

A bill has been drafted by the Municipal Labor Committee and the Office of Labor Relations to gut Administrative Code 12-126, which protects health benefits for active and retired NYC civil servants. This is a call to action to attend and testify at City Council hearings on Jan. 9 which will lead to a final vote on Jan. 19.  

Remember it was the MLC that sanctioned the funneling of money from the Health Care Stabilization Fund to give raises to one union at the expense of 500,000 active and retired workers. How is the MLC looking out for the well-being of all workers with this action?  

The Doctors Council and PSC-CUNY unions, representing some of the brightest and most knowledgeable on health care, have been outspoken against amending the Administrative Code. Any movement to an inferior Medicare Advantage plan with its inherent shortcomings including prior authorization approvals is a recipe for diminished healthcare for all civil servants.

Arbitrator Martin Scheinman, who as chair of a committee tasked with addressing the delivery and cost of health care to municipal workers and retirees, last month submitted a non-binding opinion regarding health care for NYC retirees. 

Interestingly, Mr. Scheinman has made opinions in Nassau County labor negotiations which have not led to any Medicare Advantage implementation.  One might ask why Mr. Scheinman and the Office of Management and Budget haven't shared with the City Council the many cost-saving initiatives that can be implemented now to protect healthcare. The city comptroller’s released a report in January 2022 detailing numerous issues with the union-administered welfare funds which he concluded led to enormous administrative costs.  

It is time for New York City to "self insure" health benefits, which would save enormous "risk charges" enjoyed by health-insurance companies. It is time to consolidate city-funded welfare funds, which would save millions in administrative costs.  

It is time to support negotiated reduced health-care reimbursement rates such as Mayor Mike Bloomberg achieved. It is time to consolidate drug purchasing and to begin auditing insurers for claims and financial accuracy.  

Most importantly, it is time for interested city workers and retirees to show up at the City Council on Jan. 9 to peacefully picket and testify before the Civil Service and Labor Committee. Your health care demands it!

Joseph Campbell