"Our Association has long advocated the use of insurance pools, in which communities join together to keep premium costs down," explains Insurance Coordinator Cheryl Stillman. "Therefore, we got on board with the MTA (Massachusetts Teachers' Association) and others supporting this proposal."

According to MTA lobbyist Jack Flannagan, "Since the proposal is local option, these nine municipalities have simply been given the opportunity to consider whether the Boston insurance plan could better meet the health insurance needs of their employees and retirees. If a community decides to join the pool, it retains the right to withdraw at a future date."

Under the legislation, if one of the nine municipalities elects to join the pool, it must first obtain Boston's approval. Once it becomes a pool participant, the community must abide by Boston's rules and regulations relating to its health insurance plans.

Boston offers 12 insurance plans, six to its employees and non-Medicare retirees and six to its Medicare retirees. Included in the first group are: Blue Cross Blue Shield Master Medical, Blue Choice, Harvard Pilgrim POS, Boston Medical Center Advantage, Harvard Pilgrim HMO, and Neighborhood Health Plan. Medicare retirees can choose among: Blue Care 65, First Seniority, Secure Horizons, Managed Blue for Seniors, Tufts Medicare Complement and Master Medical Medicare A&B Carveout.

"If all nine communities joined with Boston, there would be more than 25,000 retirees and 37,000 employees, including teachers, enrolled in the Boston program," comments Stillman. "This would make Boston and its neighbos the largest municipal insurance pool in the Commonwealth."