Chair Talk
January 2007
I would like to welcome the newly elected Officers and Executive Board members for this year. I would ask that all those that were committee chairs last year remain in that position for the coming year. If you would rather not continue in that position please contact me.
We need a volunteer that would be willing to provide a monthly Washington Panorama report. Anyone interested please contact me for more information.
We have not been notified of any major changes in our health benefits. If you are a Medicare-eligible retiree you should still remain in the State’s prescription drug plan. Medicare eligible retirees should have received a “creditable prescription drug coverage” notice in November of 2006. Do not enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan!! If you have not received this letter you should contact the State at 800-505-5011.
SERA remains committed to promoting increases for our pre-1987 retirees. We will be in contact with the Governor’s staff and the Legislature on a continuing basis in an attempt to promote these increases. However, I believe that the majority of our efforts should be toward maintaining our health benefits. The trend throughout other states and businesses is to reduce health care costs mainly accomplished with higher co-pays, deductibles and reduced benefits. It is my belief that we need to work closely with the State in an effort to reduce costs that would not prove harmful to retirees.
SERA’s February CC meeting will consist of a program presented by Ron Tyson and Lisa Stout of Express Scripts. If you have questions or concerns about the current drug program please plan to attend. If you have suggestions for future programs please contact me.
Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380
Return to top of page