I understand that health care costs are rising faster than inflation and that this is not the fault of the UFT. All I want is some straight talk and openness to consider our options. The premium free plan and all the other benefits from SHIP, dental etc are under extreme pressures that stand to intensify. What’s the plan? We are subjected to a cutback here, a co pay there and so on. Death by a thousand cuts?
We received the letter. It was necessary. It was long overdue. This means SHIP is asking for $20 now. SHIP had not raised it's rates in 17 years, not 15, plus not It was not done in "secret", because there was representation from the RTC. We have more retirees retiring yearly plus we're a large union. Isn't our goal to get Tier 6 down to 55 too? We need to make sure we can afford it. Not every union has a SHIP nor reaps it's benefits. We've accumulated additional benefits along with increases in some. If you do not want this, stop participating. It's voluntary. We know under the Trump cuts we're not going to get any additional monies from the federal government coming into NY state, let alone the city. You'll never say this, but I will... THANK YOU, UNITY. Our Union won't let you down.
The vote was 4 -3. RTC Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer announced he vote against.
He wrote "A premium increase might be necessary, but not a hundred percent, not double our current amount."
Bennett loves SHIP. He's not saying an increase is unnecessary. He's saying doubling the premium, an increase of 100%, that's grossly excessive.
Instead you might choose to believe people whose credibilty on retiree benefits was so completely in tatters that they had to amend a resolution to promise to never again do what they'd been trying to do for the past three years.
I think you are choosing to believe the people who are less trustworthy (you wrote "the letter" like the fact that Michael Mulgrew approves it makes it magical) - but I acknowledge that is your choice.
I don't know what letter you received "making it magical from Michael" but the letter that I received came from Patricia Rojas Executive Director of SHIP. She also gave a wonderful presentation at our last RTC meeting because members had difficulty with the $105 and filing of the NEWEST Copay benefit. I don't think it's "grossly excessive". I think it's long overdue considering more people are retiring and we're trying to get Tier 6 down to 55. We have benefits that no other Union has because no other Union has SHIP. Also this is voluntary so you don't have to join it, so don't. I'm not going to belabor the issue I'm not going to fearmonger the issue. I'm just going to wish you a happy holiday and we can agree to disagree.
Did the SHIP trustees engage an independent audit and actuary?
As for SHIP being “well-run”, has SHIP been audited by an independent firm to determine how efficient it is and what efficiencies could be implemented?
I understand that health care costs are rising faster than inflation and that this is not the fault of the UFT. All I want is some straight talk and openness to consider our options. The premium free plan and all the other benefits from SHIP, dental etc are under extreme pressures that stand to intensify. What’s the plan? We are subjected to a cutback here, a co pay there and so on. Death by a thousand cuts?
We received the letter. It was necessary. It was long overdue. This means SHIP is asking for $20 now. SHIP had not raised it's rates in 17 years, not 15, plus not It was not done in "secret", because there was representation from the RTC. We have more retirees retiring yearly plus we're a large union. Isn't our goal to get Tier 6 down to 55 too? We need to make sure we can afford it. Not every union has a SHIP nor reaps it's benefits. We've accumulated additional benefits along with increases in some. If you do not want this, stop participating. It's voluntary. We know under the Trump cuts we're not going to get any additional monies from the federal government coming into NY state, let alone the city. You'll never say this, but I will... THANK YOU, UNITY. Our Union won't let you down.
The vote was 4 -3. RTC Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer announced he vote against.
He wrote "A premium increase might be necessary, but not a hundred percent, not double our current amount."
Bennett loves SHIP. He's not saying an increase is unnecessary. He's saying doubling the premium, an increase of 100%, that's grossly excessive.
Instead you might choose to believe people whose credibilty on retiree benefits was so completely in tatters that they had to amend a resolution to promise to never again do what they'd been trying to do for the past three years.
I think you are choosing to believe the people who are less trustworthy (you wrote "the letter" like the fact that Michael Mulgrew approves it makes it magical) - but I acknowledge that is your choice.
I don't know what letter you received "making it magical from Michael" but the letter that I received came from Patricia Rojas Executive Director of SHIP. She also gave a wonderful presentation at our last RTC meeting because members had difficulty with the $105 and filing of the NEWEST Copay benefit. I don't think it's "grossly excessive". I think it's long overdue considering more people are retiring and we're trying to get Tier 6 down to 55. We have benefits that no other Union has because no other Union has SHIP. Also this is voluntary so you don't have to join it, so don't. I'm not going to belabor the issue I'm not going to fearmonger the issue. I'm just going to wish you a happy holiday and we can agree to disagree.
The Trustees, not Pat, voted for the increase. Pat is great.
I will keep SHIP - it is a great benefit. But I don't like paying double when it is not to pay for SHIP, but to pile up a huge surplus.
Did the SHIP trustees engage an independent audit and actuary?
As for SHIP being “well-run”, has SHIP been audited by an independent firm to determine how efficient it is and what efficiencies could be implemented?
That is what “well-run” managements do.