Linda Meinelt: Time for STRS employees to shoulder more of their HC cost

Linda Meinelt to Mike Nehf and STRS Board, April 13, 2009
Subject: STRS Health Care
It is my understanding that much of the next STRS Bd. meeting will be concerned with cuts/changes to retiree health benefits.
I can easily accept such things as the elimination of postage paid envelopes for refills and the start of new low-cost generic mail programs. I cannot accept continuing increases in premiums and out-of-pocket expenses while the STRS employees have a premium benefits package.
The time has come for STRS employees to "shoulder" more cost of their health care through higher premiums, larger deductibles and increased prescription co-pays.
Retirees truly do appreciate the work the STRS employees do on our behalf; however, we cannot continue to offer them the same benefits as when the system was making money and not losing billions!
This loss of the billions needs to be kept in mind when considering employee pay, benefits, bonuses, etc.
STRS is funded by current and retired teachers who are struggling to pay their bills and receiving minimal cost-of-living increases.
Keep this in mind when you discuss the health benefits package.
Linda Meinelt
Retiree