Molly Janczyk: Medicare: HCA

From Molly Janczyk, November 23, 2006

Subject: Re: Medicare: HCA
Retirees lose more money each year with increasing premiums, Rx's and lower reimbursements which cannot be met with net COLAS which do not meet these increases and losses of benefits.

Therefore, we do not come close to cost of living increases on already challenged pensions. We have been losing in large amounts since these increases occurred and more is eaten each year. Something has to be done about just letting retirees survive.

IF ONLY STRS had informed us properly BEFORE we retired so those of us able bodied could have also benefited by 35 yr. rule, older retirees being given some kind of grandfathering, etc. Retirees were literally thrown to the wolves and left to drown to save HC until a resolution could be found for future retirees due to lack of planning and seeking revenue for HC decades ago. It is beyond cruel and lacks any modicum of concern for human beings -- educators -- left to find ways to survive while some pretend this is not the case of retirees refusing meds, treatments, losing homes, etc.

To not mention this in praising of STRS for its 'difficult decisions' lets retirees feel again abandoned and hopeless. Bill L. needs recognize what has happened and at least mention those who suffer while he praises STRS. It is a slap in the face and continued lack of acknowledgement of what has happened to the entire body of generations of retirees who have literally held HC together during these past years bearing the entire burden. This cavalier attitude was what brought us here with no oversight by organizations to force seeking revenue for HC long ago and plan long range. To say, we now are planning lets decades of retirees hanging out to suffer and continues to flog them with no hope for any relief.

Why do we support legislation? To NEVER allow this to happen to another educator! To attract young educators with the firm security of retirements with HC. But, at least mention us along the way, Bill. At least acknowledge our assistance and suffering. To not do so, continues the path of OEA leadership in pretending none of this happened under their watch avoiding responsibility when in fact, leadership should have provided oversight to avoid harm caused. Do not tell us, OEA decided not to interfere. Membership NEEDED its interference and it was OEA's solemn duty to stop wrongdoing and plan solidly for its membership's security. THAT has never been said and what membership still wishes to hear even though it is too late for us retirees. Some compassion of recognition is in order vs. compliment after compliment with no hint of those who struggle to survive.

Maybe in all those compliments of Billirakis and STRS, etc., you could just mention retirees who have been the glue to HC for your future getting us to this proposed legislation. It would be nice.

Molly J.

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Jim Kimmel to Molly Janczyk, November 23, 2006

Subject: Re: Medicare: HCA

Keeping the medicare reimbursement the same or raising it the same percentage as the Medicare premium increase would really take very little money -- so I think it is just another way to keep us in our place. I am looking forward to see the results of the meeting with Strickland and Lazares and Leone!! (And the new Democrats in legislature!) I think this time around I would have voted for any Democrat as long as he or she could speak English and had a regular heartbeat!!

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From Molly Janczyk, November 23, 2006

Subject: Medicare: HCA
John L and Dennis L. can sometime approach certain lawmakers which STRS Board members cannot do based on relationships and trust they have established. STRS Board members do not understand how they need to utilize this valuable tool. I have stated this often to Damon and the Board. Dennis and John know can speak with legislators, LSB's and influential school administrators to help pass HC legislation.

Another point: I wanted to ask Ann Hanning last week if Bill Leibensperger was speaking on behalf of ORTA when he said he was sent as spokesperson being the chair of HCA in SUPPORT of changing the Medicare reimbursements for elderly retirees. Since then, I have had several questions and concerns regarding limits and the future of Medicare increases for those receiving only 3% COLAS eaten up by higher premiums and reimbursements not keeping up with inflation. I understand the figures given at the meeting but I wonder if the ORTA Board had taken a position in favor the staff's proposed change. It bothers many that Lazares and Leone wanted to seek other options if ORTA allows Bill L to say, in effect, that he is representing ORTA with his speech.

Bill L. said he cannot and would not use the podium or position to further his goals but I haven't heard anyone but Lazares and Leone question this in depth or ask for a committee to seek other avenues regarding Medicare reimbursements. A few dollars for retirees goes so far and surely if we can find money for credit cards, to pay staff legal fees and huge headhunter fees, we can look for options to not take more from retirees already burdened with saving HC on pensions long diminished and lacking.

I hope the recent civility was due to Bill speaking with Ramser as well as ORTA and other interested parties as it was one of the few if only time, I have seen her act as a reasonable chair. I asked Bill repeatedly to speak with her when he admonished us for addressing her behavior. Hopefully, he has but we will see month to month.

Instead of criticizing John and Leone for calling things into question, saying they are not respectful, please remember the actions of Brown, Fisher, Ramser, Meyers, Puckett that have not been respectful and others not seeing all sides. 11/16 seemed better as far as listening and seeing points more objectively whether forced or real.

Molly J.

We will be vigilant observers in the next few months and hope the Medicare reimbursement is revisited. Many said words sounding compassionate but few offered real options or time to search for them in the budget other than staff. $20 a month is little except to a retiree struggling and finding each year more difficult to survive. The question asked : What does this mean each year when our pensions are the same and COLAS do not make up the increases for HC and less reimbursement for Medicare.

Please: TRY HARDER!