It’s simply just not right!

As I mentioned earlier, I wish to share some thoughts and eventually action plan recommendations concerning the termination of our retiree health benefits. Let me start by saying that this action by the Transition Team (I love this term) is just simply wrong. This action in my opinion goes against the mission of UHCS over the years. Your not serving the heath needs of your close community and the most vulnerable by terminating their PROMISED health benefits. I want the attention of all retirees with 20+ years of service receiving a partially subsidized health benefit as well as those with 30+ years of service receiving a free supplement. This affects us all. I question if even when the Aetna transition occured if a reach out occurred to United Healthcare to attempt a better plan rate cost that could have avoided the new offering. I wonder if the Piedmont Augusta board (yes there still is a local board) are aware of this decision and had the opportunity to vote on the matter. I question if this decision has been thought out since upper management employment agreements have been made to them that secures their retirement benefits. Offerings like this have to be fair and balanced or your not-for-profit tax exempt status can be called into question. Giving retirees another year of benefits is nothing. No gradual plan to phase out the benefit over time was offered wehere an increasing cost share to the retiree was in place over time until the subsidy was reduced to $0. This would allow the entire financial burden to not be immediate. UHCS in the past has always given to the community with free or subsidized healthcare. I retired with an allegiance to the UHCS system for my health needs. As a Medicare member I certainly can go elsewhere for services. Retirees probably represent a tremendous revenue source for Piedmont. I hope I have your attention and will follow up in my next post with actions I recommend AS A GROUP. Nothing will change unless you get involved and reach out to other retirees (or current long time employees) not on this platform. Whatever we undertake, it should be articulate, graceful and to the point but not belligerent. See you next time.