Comments on: APWU Statement Regarding The Postal Service Reform Act of 2018

By: efes

efes — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 13:43:37 +0000

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.

By: ididnotvotefortheguy

ididnotvotefortheguy — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 04:28:20 +0000

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.

By: Postal Joe

Postal Joe — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 19:30:55 +0000

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

By: ididnotvoteforthatguy

ididnotvoteforthatguy — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 13:17:13 +0000

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.”

By: Postal Joe

Postal Joe — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:49:12 +0000

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??

By: ididnotvoteforthatguy

ididnotvoteforthatguy — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 04:01:18 +0000

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.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:10:44 +0000

Leave my healthcare alone.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 17:02:29 +0000

I also don’t support pulling postal workers out of the FEHB pool for benefits.