NOVEMBER 1998 - Under Coalition Bargaining - Despite its critics, the coalition bargaining law continues to operate effectively for the town of Lexington. Under the law, a coalition bargaining committee of town and union representatives, including one representing our Association , implement and maintain the health insurance package for the town’s retirees, employees and survivors.

SEPTEMBER 1998 - Officials Feel They Are Off To A Good Start - Officials with the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) feel they are off to a “good start” with the implementation of the new market based reimbursement fee schedule.

JULY 1998 - Members Remain Protected From Balance Billing - In an effort to gain control over the fast rising cost of health care, the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) is taking steps to equalize payments made to health care providers. A new system will be implemented by which doctors and hospitals will be reimbursed for their services.

JULY 1993 - Concept New To Public Sector - Throughout the 1980’s, the Legislature spent much time and money addressing the issue of the state’s unfunded pension liability. By most accounts, Massachusetts had one of the largest unfunded pension systems. It was estimated that there was as much as a $13 billion shortfall between the future cost of pensions and the ability of the state and local pension funds to pay those costs. There was much at stake for both the fiscal solvency of the state and local governments and for public pensioners. Pension funding legislation received broad support by not only management and labor groups but by fiscally conservative watchdog groups such as Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.