NOVEMBER 2005 - When they become eligible for Medicare, state retirees, and in many cases, local retirees, are required to enroll in Parts A and B, as well as a supplement plan (i.e., Medex or OME). Usually a retiree first becomes eligible for Medicare when they reach 65 and are receiving their own Social Security benefits.

NOVEMBER 2005 - Funds Should Be Used To Reduce Health Costs - With the cities and towns of our state scheduled to receive millions of dollars next year under the Medicare Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS), it's open season on how that money will be used.

SEPTEMBER 2005 - Recently we reported that the federal court stopped the implementation of a rule, issued by the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), that would allow employers to discriminate against Medicare retirees and provide them with inferior insurance coverage (May Voice). "Apparently, the supporters of this EEOC rule have turned to the Congress for help in getting it done," reports Legislative Chairman Bill Hill.

SEPTEMBER 2005 - Retirees Caught In Crossfire - Retirees of the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department received unwelcome and disturbing news in early June. Due to a dispute between the Plymouth County Commissioners and the County Sheriff, funding for the retirees' health insurance had been called into question.

SEPTEMBER 2005 - UniCare/GIC Establish New Program - Following on the heels of the highly publicized case of Terry Schiavo, officials with UniCare, the insurance company that administers the state's Indemnity Plan, began to wonder how the lessons learned from the Florida case could be applied in Massachusetts.

SEPTEMBER 2005 - Reading Is The Latest To Accept The Health Insurance Law - "Municipal officials, retirees and employees have been turning to the coalition bargaining law (Section 19 of Chapter 32B) as a solution to rising healthcare insurance costs," reports Insurance Coordinator Cheryl Stillman. "You can add Reading as the latest to join the list of towns to make the move."

SEPTEMBER 2005 - Association Takes Strong Stand - Recently, we observed a disturbing trend among local officials and their health insurance consultants. "I've been at meetings with municipal leaders and their consultants, at which the speakers have recommended that towns consider transferring their Medicare retirees to the Part D program," reports Legislative Liaison Shawn Duhamel.