APWU Statement Regarding The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018

APWU News – 03/23/2018 – On March 22, The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018 (S. 2629) was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The APWU recognizes the efforts of the four bi-partisan Senators who worked to craft and co-sponsor the proposed legislation – Tom Carper (D-DE), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO). “The APWU appreciates their efforts to achieve postal legislative reform that is fair to the APWU members, postal workers in general, the public Postal Service and postal customers,” said Legislative & Political Director Judy Beard.

Much of the Senate bill is based on the foundation of H.R. 756, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives, which the APWU supports (while still seeking some improvements). H.R. 756 is currently stalled in the House.

The new Senate bill also includes a number of elements from the Improving Postal Operations, Service and Transparency Act, introduced in the last Congress by Sen. Carper.

There are many positive elements in this proposed legislation that the APWU supports as a basis for further legislative action. This includes addressing the unfair and absurd pre-funding mandate for future retiree health care costs, imposed on the USPS by Congress in 2006.

The key to passing needed postal reform is strong bi-partisan support. The APWU will continue to work with representatives of both political parties as we remain actively engaged to achieve quality postal reform.

The APWU Legislative & Political Department will keep you informed and involved as this new Senate bill works its way through the legislative process.


Postal Employee Network (PEN) does NOT support The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018 (S. 2629) – Please Click Here

8 Responses to "APWU Statement Regarding The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018"

  1. I certainly hope the APWU and other unions understand the short and long term implications of changing USPS health care benefits. Forcing retirees to enroll in Medicare (which includes paying Medicare Part B premiums monthly) after they have long retired is unprecedented, unfair and simply bad policy. Having a unique postal only (PSHBP) health care risk pool is fraught with danger, including reduced choices in available plans, higher costs and reduced health care coverage.

  2. Thanks Postal Joe. I was able to download a copy of the bill, but I do notice now it has been taken offline. I uploaded mine and made it publicly available if you want to take a look. You can view it at http://docdro.id/o6ZOfrP . The part I quoted earlier about the EGWP can be found on page 14, Line 3-16. The final version may contain changes. Enjoy your retirement and hope your health is going to be okay. I don’t have my MRA just yet, but I plan on joining you as soon as I hit 56 years and 4 months.

  3. Hey “ididnotvoteforthatguy”, I hope you are correct!! I just looked up S.2629 on the Congress.gov web site and it states that the “text for that bill is not available yet”?? Sen. Carper has always made Part D a priority in his previous attempts at reforming the USPS, and I hope it’s different this time around! I’ve been retired over 5 years now and have had many medical issues that require a lot of meds so of course it’s a big issue to me! I wish you the best of luck and hope you make it to retirement someday! PJ

  4. Postal Joe, I’m not sure you got that from. The bill maintains EGWP and makes Part D through your health care plan provider. This is directly from the proposed bill: “The Office shall require each PSHBPplan to provide qualified prescription drug coverage for Postal Service annuitants and family members who are part D eligible individuals (…) under a prescription drug plan under Medicare Part D pursuant to the provisions of section 1860D–22(b) (commonly referred to as an ‘employer group waiver plan’). For purposes of the preceding sentence, the carrier offering the PSHBP plan shall be deemed to be the
    sponsor of the plan for purposes of Medicare part D.”

  5. This bill unlike H R 756 does away with the EGWP which was the group waiver and incorporates Medicare part D….which means that the FEHB plan will not give you any prescription drug coverage! Have you known anyone with the Part D medicare?? Probably not…. because it is a nightmare to deal with…..and forget about the $134 proposed increase because part D costs are based on what drugs you’re currently taking are not covered 100%, there are a lot deductibles and co-pays!!
    The other issue with this new reform bill is that it will turn over $13 BILLION to medicare to kind of buy their way into it, money that was put aside to pay for our retiree healthcare costs…turned over to Medicare, a program that at best will go bankrupt probably before the Postal service does, then what are you going to do??

  6. I like it. The bill states the PSHBP is still within the FEHBP program and postal rates must be equivalent to the same coverage as the rest of the federal government’s health plans. I know there has been a lot of discussions that CURRENT retirees should not be forced to pay for Medicare Part B. The new version of the bill allows exceptions for some who may not need it – or can’t afford it. So far this bill has everything that all major stakeholders seem to agree. Let’s see how long it’s going to take Congress to actually pass it. Good bill, better than H.R. 756. I don’t mind the integration with Medicare even though it may cost me a little more out of my pocket. I’ll sleep better at night in my golden years knowing that my out-of-pocket medical expenses would be almost 100% covered. Some health care providers even have plans that reimburse you some of the costs going to Medicare Part B.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.