UNITY sounds like it's playing from the same playbook our executive branch of government currently using. You know the saying,"The fish stinks from the head down." Nevertheless, I do appreciate your "we'll do better next time" fighting spirit. We have to continue to press on and keep hope alive!
Hold the sword of decertification of the Union over Unity. Keep ABC together as a “government in exile” or like they have in Westminster form of government, as the “shadow government.” At the very least keep Amy front and center as the face of ABC and have her respond to anything and everything Mulgrew does.
Hi, Arthur. I am trying to get some clarity into what you have written. I had worked as a teacher out in Brentwood where I paid about $600 per month for health insurance - whether I was sick or not. "Premium free means it costs you nothing unless you get sick". I prefer that over the "insurance" aspect of paying no matter what. In December, the DA resolution states that there will be no changes to UFT members' healthcare without DA approval. Tiered construct, in the article you had previously written, is included as an OPTION (MLC - 4/28/25 memo). Where are the issues? Plus, if you look at the offerings for healthcare (speaking as a Medicare eligible retiree) there are many options to choose from. Where is it that we have no choice? I am truly trying to understand the urgency you present.
At your current salary of About $102,000 plus your Uft union salary of about $50,000, or your Brentwood pay at $65,000 - I am going to assume you are a dual income household as well and paying $600/month for insurance was most likely a family plan.
You don't see who Medicare Retirees are because of your income. Two thirds of DC37 retirees make under $35k, and one third of them under $12k a year. Top paid police and firefighters from the late 1970's-early 1980's was $15,000. Today, their pensions are $26,000.
Charging them a $15 copay for EVERY medical procedure, visit and test amounts to a car payment. When that provider is attached to a hospital - that copay doubles. Retirees are forced to cut pills in half, not take their meds, go to food banks, or take small jobs to make ends meet. That is what these decisions made by unions we are not in caused - and the only benefit was to the active union members - at the cost of our access to healthcare and life.
What would premium look like if in-service workers had to pay, under the statute? THe City has to pay the full cost of health coverage up to the Hip Hmo for every employee, retiree and their dependent. An individual plan would be about $25/month and $250/month family. Active workers - in the UFT - can afford that unless you are a Para.
Co-pays are simply a penalty for using your healthcare and noting that the elderly and disabled need it -and they have such low income - why penalize them that way?
Why would you support tiered healthcare? So higher earners have a better access to medical care than lower earners? And if you are elderly or disabled an live next to a hospital they want to deter you from using, you charge someone more to go there - when that is the closest facility or their doctors are affiliated there?
So let's charge grandma more and make her go to a hospital further away where her doctors and records are not at, just so she can afford it.... why would you do that? In the standard of healthcare, continuity of care is prime. Trusted providers, help the patient's care.
You have choice Margaret, based on your income. The rest of us would not. That is the point - and if you learned anything from our educational series on Medicare and why we have it, it was the main reason your suggestion is the wrong path.
Medicare was created to end discrimination and segregation in healthcare. It gave EQUAL access to doctors and hospitals to everyone no matter their skin color or income levels. If providers wanted the reimbursement from the federal government, they had to end white waiting rooms and colored waiting rooms.
Tiers - creates that all over over again that you the high earner can go to NYU or NYP but the rest of us cannot because we cannot afford to pay more copays or higher deductibles.
What is a choice for you, is not possible for me. And that is not how the NYC Health Program was founded or its intent in the advent of Medicare.
I agree. Your explanation is right on. Tiered health care is NOT the way to go! Those who make less money, are elderly, or disabled should not be penalized. This discrimination sets my hair on fire😡🤯!!!
Hi. The $600 per month was my individual health insurance. I am retired, on Medicare. Thank you for your info. As I advocate for our UFT healthcare, I will keep your points in mind.
I just email the committee chair earlier today to ask if I may attend - I felt it important to get info as first hand as possible and to be an active participant. There are already retirees on it. But...no matter what, I make myself heard. ;-)
Another age old warning given renewed truth: "Be careful what you ask for; you might just get it. Ask they did ( well, the 53% of the approx. 30% voting anyway.) And received is on its way. As promised. No surprise here.
I can't say I'm surprised either. Still, I'm shocked they not only held this until after the election, but that they announced this the very next business day. It's just so blatant.
Marianne called it weeks ago. And it’s in line with the arrogance and authoritarian and unilateral leadership that is Unity who alone always knows best. So they safeguarded their positions and waited not a second longer because they didn’t need to. Appearances are only of so much importance when you’ve already made your deals I would guess.
Thank you so much for sharing your psychic abilities and letting me know what you deem my position to be. Alas, I must counsel you to keep your day job.
As a UFT retiree, the job, now, is counseling modesty to the arrogant, and humility to the abusive. So, Mulgrew shares these character aspects aplenty.
Well done Ibeth! I am optimistic in the long run 🏃♀️ But things may get worse before better ...
UNITY sounds like it's playing from the same playbook our executive branch of government currently using. You know the saying,"The fish stinks from the head down." Nevertheless, I do appreciate your "we'll do better next time" fighting spirit. We have to continue to press on and keep hope alive!
Hold the sword of decertification of the Union over Unity. Keep ABC together as a “government in exile” or like they have in Westminster form of government, as the “shadow government.” At the very least keep Amy front and center as the face of ABC and have her respond to anything and everything Mulgrew does.
Hi, Arthur. I am trying to get some clarity into what you have written. I had worked as a teacher out in Brentwood where I paid about $600 per month for health insurance - whether I was sick or not. "Premium free means it costs you nothing unless you get sick". I prefer that over the "insurance" aspect of paying no matter what. In December, the DA resolution states that there will be no changes to UFT members' healthcare without DA approval. Tiered construct, in the article you had previously written, is included as an OPTION (MLC - 4/28/25 memo). Where are the issues? Plus, if you look at the offerings for healthcare (speaking as a Medicare eligible retiree) there are many options to choose from. Where is it that we have no choice? I am truly trying to understand the urgency you present.
Time will tell, Margaret, because LeRoy Barr declined to.
At your current salary of About $102,000 plus your Uft union salary of about $50,000, or your Brentwood pay at $65,000 - I am going to assume you are a dual income household as well and paying $600/month for insurance was most likely a family plan.
You don't see who Medicare Retirees are because of your income. Two thirds of DC37 retirees make under $35k, and one third of them under $12k a year. Top paid police and firefighters from the late 1970's-early 1980's was $15,000. Today, their pensions are $26,000.
Charging them a $15 copay for EVERY medical procedure, visit and test amounts to a car payment. When that provider is attached to a hospital - that copay doubles. Retirees are forced to cut pills in half, not take their meds, go to food banks, or take small jobs to make ends meet. That is what these decisions made by unions we are not in caused - and the only benefit was to the active union members - at the cost of our access to healthcare and life.
What would premium look like if in-service workers had to pay, under the statute? THe City has to pay the full cost of health coverage up to the Hip Hmo for every employee, retiree and their dependent. An individual plan would be about $25/month and $250/month family. Active workers - in the UFT - can afford that unless you are a Para.
Co-pays are simply a penalty for using your healthcare and noting that the elderly and disabled need it -and they have such low income - why penalize them that way?
Why would you support tiered healthcare? So higher earners have a better access to medical care than lower earners? And if you are elderly or disabled an live next to a hospital they want to deter you from using, you charge someone more to go there - when that is the closest facility or their doctors are affiliated there?
So let's charge grandma more and make her go to a hospital further away where her doctors and records are not at, just so she can afford it.... why would you do that? In the standard of healthcare, continuity of care is prime. Trusted providers, help the patient's care.
You have choice Margaret, based on your income. The rest of us would not. That is the point - and if you learned anything from our educational series on Medicare and why we have it, it was the main reason your suggestion is the wrong path.
Medicare was created to end discrimination and segregation in healthcare. It gave EQUAL access to doctors and hospitals to everyone no matter their skin color or income levels. If providers wanted the reimbursement from the federal government, they had to end white waiting rooms and colored waiting rooms.
Tiers - creates that all over over again that you the high earner can go to NYU or NYP but the rest of us cannot because we cannot afford to pay more copays or higher deductibles.
What is a choice for you, is not possible for me. And that is not how the NYC Health Program was founded or its intent in the advent of Medicare.
I hope that gives you more context.
I agree. Your explanation is right on. Tiered health care is NOT the way to go! Those who make less money, are elderly, or disabled should not be penalized. This discrimination sets my hair on fire😡🤯!!!
Hi. The $600 per month was my individual health insurance. I am retired, on Medicare. Thank you for your info. As I advocate for our UFT healthcare, I will keep your points in mind.
Are you on the health committee, Margaret?
I just email the committee chair earlier today to ask if I may attend - I felt it important to get info as first hand as possible and to be an active participant. There are already retirees on it. But...no matter what, I make myself heard. ;-)
I heard members had to sign NDAs. Is that true?
No one signed an NDA!
No idea. I’m on the waitlist.
Another age old warning given renewed truth: "Be careful what you ask for; you might just get it. Ask they did ( well, the 53% of the approx. 30% voting anyway.) And received is on its way. As promised. No surprise here.
I can't say I'm surprised either. Still, I'm shocked they not only held this until after the election, but that they announced this the very next business day. It's just so blatant.
Marianne called it weeks ago. And it’s in line with the arrogance and authoritarian and unilateral leadership that is Unity who alone always knows best. So they safeguarded their positions and waited not a second longer because they didn’t need to. Appearances are only of so much importance when you’ve already made your deals I would guess.
True that.
“…couda-wouldas…”
Speak for yourself.
Yes, indeed, I, as do you, I speak forthrightly, for myself.
Difference is that your position is way loftier than mine.
Thank you so much for sharing your psychic abilities and letting me know what you deem my position to be. Alas, I must counsel you to keep your day job.
As a UFT retiree, the job, now, is counseling modesty to the arrogant, and humility to the abusive. So, Mulgrew shares these character aspects aplenty.
Perhaps, then, you should address your comments to him.
Arthur does Amy & Paul keep their UNITY jobs??
Amy is no longer Unity but still works for UFT. Paul is a teacher and chapter leader in the Bronx.