Vermont Retired State Employees' Association, INC.
URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES
The VRSEA Board of Trustees unanimously voted to
STRONGLY OPPOSE ANY CHANGES TO OUR MEDICAL PLAN
Unless you hear it from us, consider it a rumor. We plan to keep you informed & will have more details in our next newsletter —
Your Board is working with the State Dept of Human Resources and their consultant - who have proposed a change in your insurance plan - to understand in detail what this plan represents. Questions still remain. But this is what we know:
• Currently your bargained health care plan makes sure that all members - both employees and retirees - are treated equally through the State Employee’s Health Plan.
• VRSEA has expressed our concerns and the State understands that we oppose moving retirees from the legal protection of a collectively bargained health plan - to a separate “Medicare Advantage” Insurance plan.
• Currently, the State Benefits Office resolves any issues or concerns about your retiree health plan locally. The terms and conditions of your health plan has been collectively bargained - and the State has authority over how your benefits are administered. This proposed Medicare Advantage plan has CIGNA as that authority.
• The initial proposal by the state was for implementation 1/1/2023 but is now postponed.
• It is clear that the state is not ready for any implementation or plan to educate all retirees who would be affected by this proposed plan.
• Legislators are now asking about this proposal. VRSEA lobbyists are already working hard to monitor and stop any proposed legislation to take away your rights regarding your health care benefits - now and during the legislative session.
This is election season. We ask that you talk with your legislative representatives to express your concerns, hear how they would vote on issues regarding your retiree health care benefits, and VOTE for those who support your best interests!
Stay tuned.
NOTE: If you have already paid your VRSEA 2023 dues, please ignore the membership enrollment form coming in our next newsletter. You are already set for membership in 2023. We thank you for your ongoing support.
Vermont Retired State Employees Association, Inc.
“Working for Retired State Employees and Beneficiaries”
www.vrsea.org
August 11, 2021
The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Vermont Retired State Employees’ Association, Inc. was held by Zoom on August 11, 2021. President Shelley Martin called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. The following officers and trustees were present: Shelley Martin, President; Kathy Callaghan, Secretary; Roger Dumas, Treasurer; Judy Hurley, Charly Dickerson, Allen Blake, Bruce Hyde, Jerry Schwarz, Vern Mackey, Mary Lou Bolt and Marc Metayer. Nominating Committee Chair Bert Smith also attended.
President Shelley Martin officially welcomed everyone, explaining that the Annual Meeting was held by Zoom this year for everyone’s safety. She opined that we hope to have an in-person meeting next year. The President called for a moment of silence for those we have lost this year and members of their families. She then introduced VRSEA Board members and Mr. Smith.
Secretary’s Report: President Martin explained that normally the Secretary’s Report consists of the minutes of the prior year’s Annual Meeting. Since the 2020 Annual Meeting was cancelled due to Covid-19, there was no Secretary’s Report this year.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Roger Dumas presented a comparison of the VRSEA budgets for the last three years. He shared that the VRSEA Audit Committee of Helen Weed and Marie Maclay confirmed that the FY 2019 to 2020 records were in good financial order. Roger presented the FY 2020-2021 year-to-date budget, and indicated that there may be a slight surplus at year end. On the FY 2021-2022 budget, he explained that it has increased due to two new budget lines. The Board has decided to have a Data Entry Processing individual to handle the hundreds of memberships and renewals we receive by mail each year. In addition, there is a new 2022 budget line for Special Events. Finally, the Treasurer reported that the 2022 pension COLA will be reported in the October 2021 VRSEA newsletter, which will be sent to all State retirees.
Nominating Committee Report: Nominating Committee Chairman Bert Smith reported that no VRSEA members had contacted him to be considered for VRSEA Board membership in 2022. He reviewed the fact that in 2020, no Annual Meeting was held due to Covid-19, and the existing slate of Trustees agreed to serve another year. Bert then presented the Nominating Committee’s recommendation that five VRSEA Trustees be elected to serve a 1-year term, and five Trustees to serve a regular 2-year term. This will bring the Board elections back into compliance with our By-Laws, which state that Trustees are elected for two-year terms. The Annual Meeting attendees then voted by online ballot. The attendees voted unanimously to re-elect all 10 of the current VRSEA Trustees, as follows: Serving a 1-year term: Allen Blake, Kathy Callaghan, Shelley Martin, Bruce Hyde and Judy Hurley. Serving a 2-year term: Charly Dickerson, Roger Dumas, Vern Mackey, Marc Metayer and Jerry Schwarz.
Appreciation: Roger moved and Charly seconded a motion to thank Bert Smith for his many years of exemplary service on the VRSEA Nominating Committee. Along with Committee members Mike Wiater and Susan Hudson, Bert has faithfully executed the Committee’s duties for many years. The Committee has produced excellent Trustee candidates when there were Board openings, which has greatly enhanced the VRSEA Board. We owe Bert and his team a debt of gratitude.
President’s Report: President Shelley Martin reviewed the fact that there is currently a Legislative Pension Task Force meeting to consider changes to the pension system. She expressed appreciation for Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce’s position that no changes should be made to the pension benefits for existing retirees. Treasurer Pearce has reiterated this position many times to the VRSEA Board and to members of the Legislature. The Pension Task Force must produce a preliminary report of their findings to the Legislature by October 15 and a final report by December 2. VRSEA employs a professional lobbyist, Bridget Morris, who has done an excellent job on following the Task Force. Legislative Chair Roger Dumas keeps the VRSEA Board informed on pension issues weekly and also does an excellent job.
Next, President Martin explained the important differences between the VSEA retiree group (VSEA-RC), and our organization, VRSEA. The VSEA-RC chapter is not an independent organization. It is one of the many chapters of the VSEA union and answers to the VSEA Board. VSEA-RC has no authority to act on behalf of their retiree members. In contrast, VRSEA is a fully independent organization with full authority to act on behalf of its members. We answer only to our membership, and no other entity. VRSEA exists to protect our members’ pension and retiree health care benefits and has no other agenda or affiliation.
President Martin updated the group on the new Special Events that VRSEA is offering its members. VRSEA is embarking on a series of Special Events for our members, beginning with the first one on August 19 at Lake Bomoseen State Park. On Saturday, October 2, VRSEA will be participating in the Barre Fall Festival with a table and activities. A member asked if anyone was car- pooling to Lake Bomoseen; Judy Hurley will be in touch with the member. The President reminded members that VRSEA needs their emails to communicate more easily. We do not share them.
Lastly, President Martin expressed her appreciation to the VRSEA Board of Trustees and Committees for all their hard work throughout the year, and thanked VRSEA members for their support and trust in VRSEA.
President Martin adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Callaghan
VRSEA Secretary
Topic: VRSEA Annual Meeting - 2022
Time: August 24, 2022 at 12:00 pm EDT
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83421324753?pwd=SDlHMGRJdGhWRE1lL3RUdVJZZnN2UT09
Meeting ID: 834 2132 4753
Passcode: 988409
The State and the VSEA recently negotiated a new hearing aids benefit for State employees and retirees. Effective January 1, 2023, State retirees and their dependents covered by the State Employees Health Plan, will each have a $1,500 benefit toward hearing aids – per ear – every 5 years. The new benefit applies to the cost of the hearing aids only. Audiologist visits and hearing tests continue to be covered as specialist visits under the health plan’s regular medical benefits. VRSEA applauds the State for finally taking this step, as we have been asking for hearing aids coverage for many years.
The Vermont Retired State Employees Association (VRSEA) Board of Trustees recently voted to oppose the merger of the Vermont State Employees Credit Union and the New England Federal Credit Union. State retirees may remember that the VSECU was started by state employees, for state employees. Many state retirees have their banking with VSECU. In addition, VRSEA has had its Association business dealings with VSECU for many years. We trust them and they have treated us well. A VRSEA Board member recently attended a meeting in Montpelier where both credit unions tried to explain why members should approve their merger. After two hours of questions and answers, the companies could not come up with any compelling reason why members should vote to merge. VSECU is a credit union for Vermonters, by Vermonters. Keeping our Credit Union separate from the NEFCU helps us to retain control and to better serve the needs of our own Vermont community, which is very important and can be crucial. The VRSEA Board of Trustees is encouraging VRSEA members to sign a petition to voice opposition to this merger.
Petition Link Learn more about the issue at a website created by the group Calling All Members
The State Employee Health Plan is now covering At-Home COVID-19 rapid tests at no cost to members retroactive to December 1, 2021. The plan will cover up to 8 tests per member per month. The tests must be purchased at a pharmacy to be eligible for coverage (mail order or in person). Here are the details about how the plan will cover the tests:
For more information and details regarding the reimbursement process for both BCBSVT and ESI, please go to:
https://humanresources.vermont.gov/content/no-cost-covid-19-rapid-home-tests
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
Use the URL link below:
COVID Home Tests | USPS
State regulators want to hear from Vermonters about how long they have to wait to see a medical specialist.
The Agency of Human Services launched the inquiry last month after a Seven Days investigation revealed that some University of Vermont Medical Center patients have been waiting for weeks or months to get outpatient specialist appointments. The agency and its partners will compile their findings in a report that may shape legislation on the issue, Secretary Mike Smith said.
Investigators plan to hold two virtual public sessions over the next few weeks: Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Thursday, Nov. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. For details, signups and links to the meetings, visit the wait times webpage.
Residents can also tell their stories in writing, according to information on the Department of Financial Regulation’s website, which is also participating in the inquiry. Other partners include the Green Mountain Care Board and the Office of the Health Care Advocate.
Consumers who need help with medical appointment wait times can contact the Office of the Health Care Advocate helpline via phone, 800-917-7787, or online. The Department of Financial Regulation can also help Vermonters by phone, 800-964-1784, or email, dfr.insuranceinfo@vermont.gov. Additional resources are available on the wait times webpage.
— Liora Engel-Smith
VTDigger - Oct 21, 2021
Making a local call? Starting this Sunday, October 24, you will need to dial the 802 area code along with the regular 7-digit phone number!
Anyone with an 802 area code will need to dial the full 10-digit phone line, according to the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates interstate communications. Officials behind the change noted that any seven-digit calls placed on or after Oct. 24 may not connect, leaving callers with a "call cannot be completed as dialed" recording. Vermont is one of 82 area codes across 35 states that will undergo the change this weekend — callers with the 603 area code of neighboring New Hampshire are also included. The change will allow the FCC to establish a three-digit 988 number as a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
As part of the Barre Fall Festival, we invite all retired State Employees to visit us at the welcome table under a tent located in front of the Barre Partnership office at 135 Main Street across from the bagel store in Barre.
Some of our VRSEA Board members plan to answer your questions and are excited to meet you with brochures and goodies from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday, October 2.
This festival is from Thursday - Saturday with many activities (check out their website for other scheduling) but VRSEA will be sponsoring games in the Currier Park on Saturday only.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know what VRSEA is all about. See you there!!
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