Protecting Retiree Healthcare
Our municipal retirees helped build the New York City that we call home. They are first responders, educators, direct service providers, and so much more. These approximately 250,000 workers performed important jobs that often paid less than equivalent positions in the private sector, with the understanding that upon retiring, they would get top-notch healthcare consisting of a combination of traditional Medicare and city-funded Senior Care, a supplemental rider that ensures enrollees do not have to pay premiums. Unfortunately, since coming into office, Mayor Adams has continued the previous Administration’s plan to cut costs by forcing retirees to move from their current health coverage onto privately operated “Medicare Advantage” plans.
I fully oppose the Mayor’s efforts and support retirees in their fight to maintain their current plans. Living with Lupus for more than 15 years has taught me that healthcare is a human right. I support the Medicare for All Act on the federal level and the New York Health Act on the state level because I believe our communities deserve universal high-quality public healthcare. We should be expanding publicly-run Medicare, not undermining it.
The privatization model of Medicare Advantage has been demonstrated time and time again to increase costs and reduce the quality of care. This recent New York Times report shows that nearly all of the top Medicare Advantage providers across the country have been credibly accused of fraud by the federal government and/or have been caught systematically overbilling patients. These plans also often have smaller networks of providers than traditional Medicare, which makes retirees fear that they will have to change doctors, pay costly out-of-network fees, or be burdened with more co-pays and pre-authorization requirements.
Thankfully, groups like the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, the Cross Union Retirees Organizing Committee, and PSC-CUNY have led an inspiring campaign against the Mayor’s attempt to force Medicare Advantage upon retirees. They sued the City about the legality of their plan and won last August. This May, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court upheld this ruling. As a result, the Mayor has thus far been prohibited from putting his plan into action. However, he is still fighting for the Courts to allow his plan to proceed. Earlier this month, the UFT, which previously supported the Mayor’s proposal, announced they are now opposing it—demonstrating the growing unpopularity of the forced switch to Medicare Advantage.
Since coming into Office, I have consistently pushed back against the Mayor’s irresponsible and dangerous actions. From speaking at rallies in support of retirees to leading a joint letter from Council Members calling on the Mayor to sustain premium-free Senior Care, to opposing proposed Council legislation that would facilitate the Mayor’s plan, to sponsoring legislation that would block the Mayor’s plan, I have been eager to use my position to assist in this fight. Last Sunday, I was privileged to join the Cross Union Retirees Organizing Committee at an action at Grand Army Plaza centered on protecting traditional Medicare. In the coming months, I will continue to prioritize this critical issue.
