Herschel Grim: We all need to work together on Health Care while the time is right

Molly Janczyk To Herschel Grim, March 13, 2007
Subject: Re:13th Check Guidelines

Thank you, Herschel. I appreciate your comments and agree totally. It is not realistic to expect excess monies at this time for all the reasons given now over several days. We do understand the loss this is but it cannot be reinstated without huge cost: Ex. Only $500 for each retiree at only 100,000 retirees = $50,000,000 (100,000 x $500). Let's ALL focus on the big and ONLY real picture: HC.

Additionally, I was pleased to see the new STRS HC booklet include benefits for the Assisted Program for those with total family assests below $20,000. Any who qualify should contact STRS ASAP! You earned it and you deserve it!!!!!!
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From Herschel Grim, March 13, 2007
Subject: Re:13th Check Guidelines

Molly - I just received this correspondence and would like to comment... My predecessor, George Taylor, championed the importance of this Supplemental Benefit (13th check) for our retirees. It was (is) not - as is the case with health care - an entitlement nor a guarantee, but a benefit provided by STRS Ohio to their benefit recipients - as it is determined by the Board - to be affordable. The rules have not changed and someday there may be good reason to expect resumption of payment of this benefit.

Now, however, with the unfunded liability of the system in excess of 30-years and the health care program nearing crisis, I believe it is extremely important for ALL of us to recognize the importance of prioritizing our actions and discussions. The importance of the 13th check pales in importance to the issue of health care. If we were all to receive the best formula 13th check ever paid and have it guaranteed to continue forever we would be suffering an insurmountable loss if it were to come at the cost of "no more health care."

My point is...Let's not give our opposition fodder to use against us in working toward our ultimate goal of providing the best possible chance we have for actuarially providing funding for future health care. Now is the time to back away from secondary issues and work toward one common goal. And, this is not to minimize the importance of a 13th check or to suggest we disallow debate on this or any other issue, but for now we MUST provide a common message of unified support for perhaps the most important issue of our time. Let us ALL stand together.

I confess I am not much of a politician. I have always seen myself more in the realm of diplomat. But, I have learned over the years that politics has a role. However, I firmly believe that now is not the time. Tom Mooney demonstrated the importance of working together, if nowhere else, through his the efforts to organize and support the efforts of the Health Care Advocates for STRS. It has been a four year journey with STRS Ohio and their Board to develop this initiative and legislation. Examine the constituency organizations of the HCA. Their work has not been purely self centered and political. It has instead been the result of recognizing the importance of working toward a common goal for the good of all the members of STRS, be they active or benefit recipients.

May ALL of us, whether we be OEA, OFT, CORE, AAUP (the constituency list goes on), STRS Ohio Board members (collectively or individually), STRS Ohio staff, etc. agree to disagree later, but for now to work together on the issue of health care before our last/best opportunity is lost.

Herschel Grim,
OFT Health & Retirement Consultant