I have delayed writing this for many reasons. Full Disclosure: I am negatively affected by the City of Memphis' recent decision to force retirees to pay 100% cost of their health care.
For several days, a question has nagged me in the sleep, in my thoughts, and while I engaged in my daily routine, "Does the City of Memphis not like old people?" I admit I dropped some tears at the thought of paying $1350-1775 a month for health care and with some plans a $5500 per person annual deductible for an 80/20 plan. I've cussed and prayed for forgiveness and refused to get out of my funk. We did everything right to honor the City, and now they dishonor us. And they expect, you to want this cold treatment with fries, a Coke and smile. Well, I just don't have it and I have to ask the question, "Does the City of Memphis not like old people?"
Some of the very people I have supported, encouraged others to vote for because I always felt they would be true to democratic principles turned their backs on us. Democrats believe in supporting the needs of people over the corporate greed. That is why it is hard to believe the City Council broke an institutional promise to 6000 families. And they still have the nerve to say, "Trust me". I don't think so.
In fact, I am beginning to believe in the paraphrased words of Kanye West, "The City of Memphis does not like old folks." Not only did the City drop retirees from health care, the city has each retiree's home address and did not send one letter explaining this situation. In fact, the City never talked about our options and I still do not have facts by which we can make good decisions about our future health care needs. We don't know who to call, the effective date of the new plan, or any firm prices to make sound decisions for our families. Pray for better management of a tense situation.
I understand it was the new State Law that imposed new minimum payments on the City and because they cannot meet those payments, they chose to dissolve our health care benefits. It this is true, Senators Mark Norris, Reginald Tate and others should talk to us, too.
If you are a retired city employee and have not joined the Association of City Retired Employees, do so now. The website is www.acrememphis.org. Membership is only $25 per year. Let's help them with a lawsuit on our behalf.
The second issue involving "old people" is the City of Memphis crack down on broken sidewalks in old and poor neighborhoods. WREG -TV 3 in February, 2014.
"(Memphis) Along North Parkway, you will find plenty of cracked and broken sidewalks.“The old trees and everything, it’s the roots that are growing up,” says Lori Tuggle, who lives on North Parkway.The Tuggle family have lived on North Parkway and never thought the sidewalk was their responsibility.“I know you are responsible if somebody falls. You are supposed to keep it clear in case somebody falls,” says Lori Tuggle.She didn’t know she must also keep it repaired.The sidewalk in front of your property is up to you to maintain, not the city or county.Mayor AC Wharton says you wouldn't know it by the number of complaints the city gets.“Folks call me and blast me for not fixing their sidewalks, when it’s their responsibility,” says Wharton.So the city is cracking down and enforcing an often ignored city ordinance that says every owner of property must keep sidewalks or walkways in good repair and condition.“We are getting ready to start enforcing that and we are gonna have a lot of hardship cases,” says Wharton.“So many people out of work. How can you afford to get your sidewalk fixed when you can’t even pay your light bill?” says Lori Tuggle.There could be consequences for not repairing your sidewalks, starting with a warning all the way up to a lien on your property.The Tuggles say they are in a catch-22, since the bad sidewalks are caused by old trees.“You have to have a permit to get the tree cut down in order for you to fix the sidewalk,” say Melvin Tuggle, who lives on North Parkway.“They should just let us know first before they start cracking down on people because that is expensive,” says Lori Tuggle.The City plans on getting the word out along with information and options for hardship cases, giving people a chance to make repairs before they are forced to do so.If you’re given a notice to make repairs, you’ll have 30 days to do it.If the city has to do it instead, you’ll have to pay for it and failing to pay could land you in court."Now, here is my problem. Rather than make demands and ultimatums, why not seek federal or private grants to offer a program that will assist older homeowners on fixed incomes to repair their sidewalks? We do this for energy conservation programs. The Plough Foundation is begging for grant applications that will serve seniors. If the homeowner participates, they should agree to allow the City to contract the work. This ensures consistency in quality of the work around the City.
Now, if you look at City Hall, it is a perfect picture of an Executive Staff that is mostly under fifty-five, mostly male and I think one African American woman. Therefore, after realizing this picture and the two situations described in this post, I have really come to the conclusion that..."The City of Memphis does not like old people."
Here's a social justice ministry assignment.
- Check the city employees in your congregations. Believe me they need your word of encouragement. It could be a lifeline. I have a friend who is a retired firefighter whose wife is in ICU, he is worried about how he will continue to provide for her care. A 31-year veteran police officer who retired two years ago and is not 65 has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. She and her college daughter feel betrayed by this city.
- Use your influence to voice your concern to the powers in high places. Call your Council Member and ask for reconsideration or reasonable options that retirees can afford. Encourage all to go back and find other solutions, rather than the one they chose to eliminate, widows, children, and old folk off health care. There is a do-nut hole in the Affordable Care Health if you are 55-65, with preexisting condition and family income above $45,000, the premiums are unreasonable. A retiree paying 100% cost of the City's plan and only gets a $35,000 pension should not have to spend 1/2 of his pension on healthcare. You are pushing them into poverty. This is just wrong and unfair to our most vulnerable citizens who served our City with distinction.
- Do not let State Representatives off the hook. Call Senators Mark Norris and Reginald Tate and ask them to work to amend the new state law to ensure pension protections but allows the City to submit a plan that will not afflict this kind of pain on retirees. Allow plans to be approved b the State Comptroller's office. Also, tell them to work with ACRE. This is not a union but the represent retirees as a unit and will work with you for a solution.
I know I was being funny in this article. I don't want believe that this City just does not like old people. The City of Memphis really has 5 loafs, 2 fish, and 6,000 hungry mouths. I know it seems impossible but with God all things are possible. Let's use our best minds, and patiently seek some solutions.
I will not support Chamber businesses that ill advised endorsed a plan that forces retirees living solely on pension benefits to pay 100% of their health care. The list of those businesses is circulating on the Face Book page entitled, "I Was Negatively Affected by The City of Memphis Council Vote!"
I want to encourage the Mayor to invite those State Republican leaders who imposed these restraints on the City to the table. They should understand that these 6,000 hungry and sick people should not be left to suffer, worry and die because the city cannot honor their commitment. If they need to amend the State Law to allow the City to work on a solution that is not so painful, so be it.
I am trusting God to work this out for the good of those who truly love him. I left church today feeling that I need to do what I can do and then trust God. I write, influence, and network. Now, that I have done that, I will trust in The Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your plans straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. I am trusting God because...
... I just don't want to believe, the City of Memphis does not like old people.
PS
I understand the Mayor and Mrs. AC Wharton, Jr. have been involved in a minor car accident. I am praying for both of them. I told him I am still upset about my healthcare, but I am glad they are alright and that they have health care insurance.
Lesson: Hate the game, not the players.
