Molly Janczyk to Governor Strickland re: The high cost of healthcare for STRS retirees

Molly Janczyk to Gov. Strickland and Susie Long, June 20, 2007
Subject: To the Governor: Governor Emails

Dear Governor and Dear Susie, (Ass't to the Governor):

Yes, there are meant for the Governor to see. That is why they are included to show what we are receiving and our reaction for the Governor to have a complete picture with a few samplings.

We are a reactive group to what has happened to us. Our retirements have been robbed due to retirees having to save STRS health care. I retired at no cost for HC, and $31 for spousal coverage because STRS did not plan long term or seek HC legislation decades ago for a steady stream of revenue to HC funding for us. Now we pay $681 just for spousal coverage and close to $200 for ourselves. In 2008, that spousal coverage will top $700 and RX's will be $75 EACH and $125 EACH for name brand and off formulary 90 day supplies which includes drugs many need for specific conditions. Generics are $20 and most use these as much as possible. Generics are not always available nor as effective for some due to chemical make up variances such as filler substances, etc.

We went from very low deductibles to $500 each for Plus Plans which many need due to health conditions, 0% copays to 20% copays. Being on set pensions with only 3% COLA's based on our first year of retirements which never increase helping with inflation or rising HC costs, to these untenable and catastrophic increases has caused many to sell homes, stop meds and treatments, or stop HC coverage. Some actually owe STRS each month due to HC costing more than their pensions.

All the issues that affect our pension systems affect dollars important to us for survival. We, CORE (Concerned Ohio Retired Educators, current and future), elected Dennis Leone and John Lazares to the STRS Board who uncovered the spending abuses at STRS. Leone researched and attempted to speak with STRS for months before they would hear him. We stood strong behind him and his findings resulting in : -reductions of spending at STRS -we subsidized childcare for STRS employees until demanding it cost neutral which began reducing our subsidy and now it is cost neutral] -eliminated subsidizing the fitness center and cafeteria for STRS staff -drastic reductions in travel (Leone policy) -Ethics Policy (Lazares Ethics Policy) to not do business with vendors guilty of ethics violations -respon. for OEC recommending Ethics Violations and subsequent convictions of all the offending former Exec Direc and 6 STRS Board Members -SB133 which has Leone language and Molly Janczyk wording included to disallow any offending board member from ever returning to STRS Board. -demanding no signing of large vendor contracts without documents being viewed first which was formally practice -respon. for removal of former Exec Direc Dyer and ALL 6 of the former offending STRS Board Members.

There is much more. We accomplished more in one year than many do in a decade told to us by a legislator. We did so because we refused to go away and produced a public grassroots movement not to be denied evoking media reports and multitudes of letters, emails, calls to our legislators.

We want to involve Gov Strickland. Even Taft received our emails. I am sorry this inconveniences you. But, yes, these are not just polite letters to let the Gov. know our position but a total picture to let him know how we feel on issues and the responses we receive lacking any personal contact or knowledge of how devastated we are in matters concerning STRS.

Issues are very upfront just now and we need support. Your constituents are letting you know what is going on in a first hand manner. Hear us. See our efforts. Let us know how you intend to help us on this important life survival issues to us.

I will circulate this and copy Gov. Strickland. I hope we can fiind a balance which accommodates us all but please understand when we include you, it is to inform you of our positions and is the same as writing the Governor on these matters. My personal email lists includes: legislators, media, retiree groups for most every county of the state with very few exceptions, superintendents, active and retired educators in many school districts throughout the state, STRS and Staff, OEC, ORSC, OEA, ORTA, OFT, OSU, CORE officers, County and District Reps, CORE Trustees, OCHER, Alumni Sorority and Retiree Grps., a personal blog by a retiree who chooses what she wishes to blog and is read by journalists both in state and out of state including the Wall St. Journal, legislators, Educator grps, retirees and actives.

We are a factor to be considered and are considered a lobby group. We only wish to provide the oversight and action needed for our lives and stepped up to that position when others representing us did not. We work together with OEA, ORTA, OEA-R, OFT, etc. on common goals important to educators. We do not always take the same track but we are working fervently for HC Advocate Legislation because without it, there will be no HC for educators and attracting and retaining the finest educators will be lost as they leave or go to other more lucrative positions.

We gave our lives to contribute to the youth of Ohio for low wages but secure retirements with HC. We need Ohio to give back to those who only wanted to help young people realize their goals and become contributing members of our society.

Most respectfully,
A firm believer in Gov. Strickland,
Molly Janczyk
STRS Retiree
CORE Activist
OEA Lifetime
ORTA Lifetime
OEA-R Lifetime
CEA Lifetime

From Susie Long, June 20, 2007
Subject: RE: Governor Emails

I understand that and that is fine, but I am getting e-mails from people that are not inquiries to the Governor, but a discussion among your group of e-mail addressees about the legislative form letters that your group is receiving from the Legislature - they are not letters to the Governor. Thanks for your consideration.

Susie Long
Executive Assistant to Governor Ted Strickland
(614) 466-3555

From Molly Janczyk, June 20, 2007
Subject: Governor Emails

Susie, I called yesterday and was SPECIFICALLY told if we want the Governor to see our positions on legislation matters, to direct them to you.

www.governor.ohio.gov is not an email address.

The ted.strickland@governor.ohio.gov returns and I was told it is because he cannot attend to his emails and so his box gets too full.

Retirees wish for the Governor to hear us on important legislation affecting us so drastically. This is his concern as he has veto power on some of these bills, doesn't he? Plus, does he not want to know how those of us who voted for him are impacted by legislative decisions?

In a quandary and disappointed,

Molly Janczyk

From Susie Long, June 20, 2007
Subject: RE: Boyer/Husted communications

Molly: Could you please direct e-mails that you wish Governor Strickland to receive to: www.governor.ohio.gov? My state e-mail account is receiving numerous e-mails that I believe does not pertain to the Governor's office and it seems someone has added my e-mail to a group address account within your organization. They appear to be communications between members regarding legislative form letters. Thanks for your consideration to this request.

Susie Long
Executive Assistant to Governor Ted Strickland
(614) 466-3555

From Molly Janczyk, June 20, 2007
Subject: FW: Boyer/Husted communications

The response was the same form letter forwarded earlier.