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Health Insurance Task Force and Moratorium For All Public Employees

Level of Government: State

I am a constituent and a politically active union member. I am requesting your support for legislation that will establish a Joint Legislative-Executive Task Force to evaluate the provision of health insurance to retired public employees. It would also effectuate a prohibition against the ability of public employers to diminish the health insurance benefits currently afforded to their former employees without a corresponding change negotiated with their in-service employees (S.6457-A by Senator Farley/A.9393-A by Assemblymember Abbate).

This bill is a common-sense, reasonable approach to ensure that our state's dedicated public servants live with dignity and financial security in their retirement. The bill does not force a higher level of benefits or increase costs but simply holds public employers to their promises. The bill allows enough flexibility to make health care changes when appropriate and necessary.

It is unfortunate that many private and public sector employers have begun to openly criticize this bill and to blame the State's high property taxes on public employee benefits. Fortunately, Senator Farley and Assemblymember Abbate are focusing their efforts on studying and addressing this issue in a comprehensive manner that is consistent with the establishment of good and fair public policy.

I am discouraged by these attacks and ask your help in scrutinizing these very employers who may be encouraging their employees to enroll in Medicaid, Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus -- all of which force our property taxes higher. It seems like these employers would prefer that public sector retirees enroll in these more expensive programs.

I pay my property taxes and support the businesses in my community. The vilification of public employees needs to stop and I feel that this bill is an important step in that direction.

I urge you to stand up against these special interest groups and to ask them to halt this "race to the bottom" mentality of attacking employee health care and pension benefits. I strongly urge your support your colleagues Senator Farley and Assemblymember Abbate in their efforts to address this problem in the real and constructive manner as detailed in S6457A/A9393A.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here