If Mulgrew wins… what happens to healthcare?

You have to ask this question.

For three years Mulgrew and Unity and the Municipal Labor Committee and Mayor Adams and the New York City Office of Labor Relations, and the insurance companies, and the City’s financiers have been trying to force retirees out of Medicare (Senior Care) and into Medicare Advantage. There’s a big pile money they can make by this change – which some people (including me) argue would be a reduction of benefits.

Today the City (OLR, Adams, NYC government) is in court, appealing a decision that has blocked this scheme. And today Mulgrew accurately states that the UFT is not a party to this appeal. However, accuracy and honesty are not always the same thing. Unity has supported the City in each of the court cases, each of the City Council hearings up to now, except one. And in that one Mulgrew’s lawyer, Alan Klinger, was consulting with the City attorneys during the hearing. Mulgrew has continued to claim, against retiree concerns and retiree research and all evidence, that his plan is better than what retirees currently have and are struggling to preserve.

But when you ask them…

They say that the election is not about health care. Or they say that the opposition only has one issue – health care. Can’t have it both ways – but Unity tries.

A retired Unity DR wrote “As this RTC election is upon us I am certainly aware of the deep concerns that people have concerning the health care issue. This note is not intended to discuss that issue.” – As if voting for Unity and voting to continue Mulgrew’s quest for Medicare Advantage could be separated.

Unity literature in the Retired Teachers Chapter election continues to boast about their support for Medicare Advantage:

The new health coverage plan negotiated by the Municipal Labor Committee is currently in litigation, and we await its outcome.

Notice how they don’t say where they stand on the litigation? And then:

Such a plan [Unity’s Medicare Advantage] would have features far superior to any current existing coverage.

They are still in favor of Medicare Advantage. They are still claiming it is better than what we have now.

And after the election?

It is true that the Chapter Leader of the Retired Teachers Chapter is not able to make decisions about who the MLC or the City is going to sue, and what backroom deals Mulgrew tries to make with Emblem or Aetna.

Retiree Advocate wins? We would use our voice to preserve Medicare

But a Retiree Advocate victory? Bennett Fischer will give public voice to retiree objections to the Mulgrew/Adams Medicare Advantage scheme. That will make it harder for the double dealing duo to pursue their plan. Kind of like denying them prior authorization.

Unity wins? Will they claim that retirees voted for Aetna?

And a Unity victory? You know, Unity could sit on the sidelines and watch what happens with the court case… except, that’s already not what’s happening. Mulgrew’s lawyer is already working with the City against us. I would not be at all surprised if Mulgrew attempts to intervene in the appeal, in favor of Medicare Advantage. He might even make the (false) claim that the RTC election was a referendum on health care, and that a majority of retirees are good with Mulgrew/Adams taking away Medicare. Untrue. Uncool.

Can we let that happen?

The election is almost over. There’s not too much you can do today. But if you didn’t vote… Please, you can still get that ballot in. Dig up the ballot. Vote today. The count is June 14. If you mail your ballot today, it should get there in time. If you can’t find your ballot, it’s pretty tight. Call AAA at 800-529-5218 and ask for a replacement. If you are in NY, I’d advise you to hand-deliver the ballot.

And when you get your ballot, check off the box for “Retiree Advocate” on the first page – and mail it in.

Anything else?

Even if Mulgrew and Murphy win, the City appeal does not look that good. The New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees is still fighting, and has won every fight so far. But victory would make things so much clearer!