Last November, the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen unanimously (3 to 0) voted to terminate its membership in the RMT program. Their decision rejected the overwhelming sentiment of the town's retired teachers who voted unanimously, at two previous public hearings on the issue, to remain with the GIC.

Lynnfield joined the RMT program back in 1972 when the then Board of Selectmen voted to enroll the town's retired teachers in the program, by adopting the provision in the group insurance law which allowed municipalities to do just that (Chapter 32B, Section 11E). Almost three decades later (1999), town officials considered, for the first time, withdrawing from the RMT program, but decided against it in the face of strong opposition by retired teachers and their supporters, including our Association.

However, the threat of withdrawing from RMT program again reared its ugly head this past August. That's when Town Manager Bill Gustus reignited the controversy by recommending to the Board of Selectmen that retired teachers and their survivors be transferred from their existing health coverage with the GIC to the insurance plans that cover all other town employees and retirees and are offered through and by the Mass. Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA). Gustus argued that the town will save money and that the coverage is about the same

As they did four years earlier, Lynnfield's retired teachers and their supporters marshaled their forces to defeat Gustus' proposal. Their opposition did initially force the selectmen to postpone their vote (see November 2003 Voice), but as we reported above, the Board did take a final vote and terminated the RMT coverage, effective this July 1.

Consequently, instead of choosing among the insurance plans offered by the GIC during this past Spring, Lynnfield retired teachers and their survivors had to select among the Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans, provided to the town under the MIIA program. As of July 1, Lynnfield retired teachers can be insured under Medex 3, VIP 200 (indemnity), HMO Blue and Blue Care Elect Preferred (PPO), with the town contributing 85% of the premium and in addition for Medex enrollees, refunding 50% of the Medicare Part B premium deducted from their Social Security check.

It's noteworthy that since their vote, the makeup of the Board of Selectmen changed. Former Board Chairman Bob Whalen chose not to run for reelection, and was succeeded by retired firefighter Bob MacKendrick. Selectmen Marc Miller and Harry Lecours continue to remain on the board.

Nonetheless, hard feelings still continue. Retired teachers remain upset over the decision, which is obvious by the comments of several of the retired teachers.

According to Harry Jameson, a retired math teacher: "I am awfully disappointed that they are not doing anything about hearing aids. Most of the retirees in my age group need them. The GIC did provide coverage for them ($500 reimbursement on the first $2,000, and 80% reimbursement on the next $1,500)."

"I believe that the town broke a basic promise that it has made to its retired teachers and their families for well over thirty years," claims former School Superintendent Bernie Huntley. "It bothers me even more that officials did this, knowing how much we wanted to remain with the GIC."

Others agreed with these comments, including Judy Angelini, who taught English in the Lynnfield schools for some thirty years. "There's no question, in my mind, that our health insurance coverage is an earned benefit and not simply an entitlement as some town officials suggested," comments Angelini.

"I am particularly troubled that during the process leading to the selectmen's decision, it became more and more apparent our expressions of concern meant little or nothing. That being said, I remain hopeful that over time the new plans will work well for retired teachers and a level of trust between our group and town officials may be restored."

"It's hard to believe it was over five years ago that I stood before the selectmen and fought against the changeover," recalls Bill Rodan, retired high school teacher and football coach. "If anything, this issue has brought us together as a group, to make certain that retirees continue to receive quality and affordable health insurance."

Association Legislative Chairman Bill Hill, was present at all hearings, testifying on behalf of Lynnfield's retired teachers. "Although we didn't win, they (town) did make some concessions. The 85% contribution by the town and 50% reimbursement of Medicare Part B did serve to mitigate the changeover," said Hill.

By the way of background, the RMT insurance program was created by the Legislature in 1970 (Chapter 626), allowing cities, towns and school districts, on a local acceptance basis, to insure their retired teachers under the state's GIC. We saw above that shortly after the law was on the books, Lynnfield adopted it.

The rationale for this legislation was to create a uniform premium rate, the same rate as state retirees, making it possible for the Teachers' Retirement Board to withhold premiums from teachers' monthly pension checks.

Prior to this legislation it was impossible to withhold premiums from pension checks because of the hundreds of different local rates. Teachers were forced to make direct premium payments, resulting in lapsed payments and other billing problems.

With the advent of computerization, the Teachers' Board has since been able to withhold the myriad premiums of all retired teachers. This, in a sense, has negated the primary reason for the creation of the plan.

However, with few exceptions, the participating communities have retained their membership in the RMT plan. In many cases, this plan has given retired teachers more flexibility than their local plan, especially for those retirees living out of state.

"In 1970 we were involved with the RMT legislation," said Association President Ralph White. "Bill Burke, who was director of the GIC at the time, drafted the bill. It was his idea, his creation. He asked us to lobby for its passage, but there was no strong opposition. Maurice Donahue was Senate President and Dave Bartley House Speaker. Frank Sargent, who was Governor, signed the bill," White recalled.

Prior to Lynnfield, the only unit to opt out of the program was the Mohawk Regional School District out in Franklin County. In 1985, the Mohawk Regional School Committee voted to put the retired teachers under the local plan where the retirees would pay 50% of the premium. At the GIC, the retirees were paying 10%, with Mohawk subsidizing 90%.