Comments from Leonard Myers and John Bos on HC legislation

May 17, 2006

From Leonard Myers

I think both legislators and school bd. members should be made to realize that if the HC is not saved by new and increased contributions, current teachers will stay as long as they can and will not retire because they will not have health care.This will put more of a burden on local bds. Of education. Another possibility is that teachers will try to negotiate health care coverage from local bds. When they retire. Some school districts in California do this now. Another possibility is that teachers can pay in to medicare while they are working.

I have a friend in California who has both part A and B of Medicare. He said they had taxes that were deducted from their pay checks for both parts A and B, even thought their pensions are not under social security. STRS should look in to this. Also, I have an acquaintance in Defiance who worked for the city water dept. and his wife worked for the county auditors office. Both draw their pensions from PERS. His wife went back to work for the county and paid in to Medicare from her county employment. He went to the local social security office. He claims that since his wife is now covered by Medicare, that he is also STRS should look in to this possibility. Damon Asbury is coming to our RTA in Defiance County in June and I will bring this up at this time.

Leonard Myers,
Pres. Defiance County Retired Teachers

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May 17, 2006

From John Bos

School Districts in New York (State) are responsible for medical insurance for all retirees until they are 65. They also pay the premium for their Medicare. The coverage and any premium is generally the same as the active employees. This keeps active and retired on the same page. That is something that we do not have in Ohio.

I have several winter friends that are retired from other states that can provide significant information regarding their insurance. They could not believe what we are paying for STRS coverage.