There is nothing wrong with the City's Healthcare Plan. It is a good plan. To be honest, it is one factor that many chose as a reason to make the City of Memphis a career choice. That's why I cannot support the Union's Plan. And, although I appreciate the City's efforts, I also have many questions about the City's Support Service Program. This was an answer to make their inhuman decisions more palatable for all to swallow.
The City's Proposal
The No-Cost Clinic is honorable but let's be honest. it is a wellness clinic. Such a facility normally handles colds,minor injuries, basic physical, and hopefully prescriptions for high blood pressure, or other minor illnesses. It does not address one's need for specialists or hospitalization. It will not address the needs of those with heart disease, kidney failure, or cancer illnesses.
- Is there a contract with Methodist Health Care System that ensures its operations for a multiple years?
- If so how many, and how will it be renewed? What is the staffing formula and the medical description of the staff?
- How many patients can be served per day?
- Will all employees and retirees received Clinic Id Cards to secure services?
- Will this service have a volunteer advisory board to ensure quality standards?
- Will the liability of malpractice be on the City or Methodist?
Healthcare Assurance Plan is a benevolent venture that has no dedicated funding stream to sustain its existence. It pushes you to use Affordable Healthcare which is still too costly for my family and others. Most seniors have pre-existing health issues and because we have access to health insurance at 100% of the cost through the City, the National plan can be competitive.
I attempted to inquire about coverage from a private insurance source and was told by the agent that a "Release from by Employer" was needed. It is no longer legal to shop insurance rates when you have access. That is a new policy under the 1500 page Affordable Health Care Program. Is the City releasing the retirees that are under 65 years old? Just asking...
The Union's Proposal
I applaud the union's efforts to save benefits for retirees. They are fighting a good fight for the most vulnerable and loyal voting citizens. They are also fighting for the future years of current employees. We must keep up the pressure on the city and be ready to make changes in leadership next year. I will work tirelessly for that. Thomas Malone and Mike Williams have given us strategic and courageous leadership. They have sought facts and helped the public understand the hardship the City is placing on their public servants and their families.
However, when Council Members, the Mayor, and professional administrators ask the fire and police personnel to bring a resolution to the table, it makes me pause. Their role is to challenge or support the polices recommended by City Leaders. The Unions can make suggestions, and identify the problems for its working families. But, the plan should be developed and addressed by the city's leadership. This is why administrators earn six figures. You applied for these jobs, sought appointments or asked for our votes but we must do you work? Pardon me while I laugh, because that's a little funny. You should take their ideas and develop plans.
The Union's proposal does NOT include a 100% option for EMPLOYEES or retirees. I think taking the 100% option off the table is a major mistake. Employees will never get it back if taken away. One major hospital situation could send a family into bankruptcy. The Basic (90%) Plan is being repackaged as the PREMIER (100%) Plan with a $7,000 deductible.
The average income of a city employee is approximately $34,000. We hear about the six figure employees, but they are not the norm. A deductible of $7,000 for these families is totally unreasonable. It means before a young woman can deliver her baby the family must spend $7,000 that year on health care costs. The working class has not enjoyed salary increases and the economy for them is still a struggle for them. Corporations are seeing gains, but not employees.
Although, the Union's plan saves health care for retirees, it is an unfair burden on working families and those of us living on limited income. As a retiree, I would rather have no health care at all that do this to working, struggling families.
Finally, my problem with this is in not our healthcare plan. It is the City's attempt to gauge prices to place the burden of raising all the money for the Pension debt that they failed to fund for seven years. Now, they gauge one group--employees and retirees. We made none of these decisions, other than to elect them, but are paying the price for over 600,000 citizens and them. The citizens understand our message and I am grateful for that.Our citizens see us as their family members, church members, neighbors and our ability to pay bills helps us to support their businesses.
The City's principle is unfair! The pension debt should be a shared sacrifice that does not make one group a sacrificial lamb. Although, the Union's plan saves health care for retirees, it is an unfair burden on working families and those of us living on limited income. but, I would rather have no health care at all than strap working, struggling families with $7,000 a year out of pocket expenses before the health insurance kicks in.
Chumney - Stout Mitchell Plan
- Increase healthcare rates 24% (employee contribution to pay this debt)
- Increase property taxes 17 cents (one a home valued at $100,000 that's about $55 dollars a year- citizen's contribution to pay this debt)
- Adopt a Compliance Penalty for PILOTs that do not meet expectations (business contribution to pay this debt)
- Reduce the City budget 5%-10% (Administrators contribution)
- Ask State General Assembly for a two year extension in becoming 100% fully funded
- Honor your $65 million cap on CIP. This year, you increased that $20 million which added another $1.6 million to the budget to pay the debt service. If we are in crisis mode to ask retirees to pay 100% of their healthcare, we can't afford to do this.
- Every new PILOT or TDZ means less revenue for the budget. Before approving these incentives identify the loss of resources for the budget and determine how you will manage with that loss.Why? Because it could be years before you see the gains, if ever for some.
I am grateful that the professional I suggested may be giving assistance to the City to find revenue in the Operational Budget. But, I am disappointed that the City has not really entertained the other suggestions. I know this is a Big Boys' game, but don't ever underestimate the intellect of women to guide, help and give direction.
I want to thank an unnamed friend who helped me breakdown the facts on the Union's plan. I appreciate you and you know who you are.
There is still time to place a sales tax on the ballot for November. But do we have a Council that will vote to put in a referendum on the ballot? I don't think so. But, it was good to see the clergy leading the City to do what Jesus would do --care for its people and provide for healthcare for elders. Thank you, SCLC, Operation PUSH, Baptist Ministerial Association, and the Clergy that wrote statements in CA's David Water's article on this issue.
What would Jesus do? I do my best as others to follow His Will and Purpose. I could never say, "They are old and moved away to be near family in later years. Or, they don't vote here." They kept their promise to the city and the City should honor their commitment.
Well, I am suggesting that we pass the plate to all stakeholders to heal our land. Let's be ONE Memphis and solve this problem. By the way, what ever happened to ONE Memphis?
There is still time to place a sales tax on the ballot for November. But do we have a Council that will vote to put in a referendum on the ballot? I don't think so. But, it was good to see the clergy leading the City to do what Jesus would do --care for its people and provide for healthcare for elders. Thank you, SCLC, Operation PUSH, Baptist Ministerial Association, and the Clergy that wrote statements in CA's David Water's article on this issue.
What would Jesus do? I do my best as others to follow His Will and Purpose. I could never say, "They are old and moved away to be near family in later years. Or, they don't vote here." They kept their promise to the city and the City should honor their commitment.
Well, I am suggesting that we pass the plate to all stakeholders to heal our land. Let's be ONE Memphis and solve this problem. By the way, what ever happened to ONE Memphis?
