I speak also for myself that the past few months has afforded both University Retirees and other Alumni, platforms for communication and fellowship perhaps not previously engaged to their fullest extent. These groups share common interests and concerns, consists mostly of University retirees and agree to cooperate within the mission of each group. Yet, all three are separate entities with their own rules and requirements for participation. I will attempt to outline the UHRAA board and group, the UHRAA (I know, confusing) Facebook group and the UHBTF group.
The vast number of us are University Retirees with some long-term non-retiree employees with University and have been members for years of the University Hospital Retiree Alumni Association (UHRAA). This many decade long organization has an annual membership enrollment fee drive for participation and requires annual membership sign up to remain a member. There are several hundred members at this time. Membership offers participation in some dinners throughout the year and other activities the UHRAA my sponsor. The UHRAA has its own board for administration and oversight of its group undertakings. The UHRAA at this point in time is separate from the University Healthcare Retiree and Alumni Facebook group and the University Hospital Benefits Task Force group. However, to the benefit of us all the UHRAA board recently agreed to support the efforts of the UHBTF for which we are grateful.
In the last year or so a Facebook Group was formed named the University Healthcare Retiree and Alumni. This Facebook group has two Administrators that sets the necessary rules for joining the group on Facebook. Only retirees and former long-time employees of UH are allowed membership in this group. There are no membership fees and proof of association with UH are required to join. Their required rules for participation are agreed by those who apply to join as is the case with many Facebook groups in existance today. The Facebook postings provide a great platform for communication among members concerning a wide range of topics and issues of interest to those previously associated with UH and wish to remain in contact with their previous fellow workers. This Facebook group has become a tremendous platform for communication and discussion of the efforts of the University Hospital Benefits Task Force in fighting for our long-term promise of healthcare benefits.
In mid-September of 2022 the University Hospital Benefits Task Force was formed to pursue efforts to oppose the September 16, 2022, letter outlining the termination of UH retiree healthcare benefits. The UHBTF efforts only require that those whom the task force represent be retirees currently receiving promised health benefits or retirees eligible for promised health benefits in the future. The current focus of this Task Force has been the use of the UHRAA board mailing list, UHRAA Facebook group, the UHBTF website UHRetireeGroup.org, called Retiree Forums, media interviews/stories and various legal actions. Efforts to collect updated and expanded contact information have been taken to support both electronic and written communication. Attempts during meetings with University and Piedmont leadership and local board chairs have to this point proven unfruitful in securing all retiree health benefits ongoing as promised.
I hope this explanation of the three organizations and their perceived function was both helpful and accurate. I wish to thank those in various roles within these groups for their tireless work and contributions, especially for their cooperation and support of the University Hospital Benefits Task Force.
