Talking points - Ask your representative to sponsor a bill
The 2020 Census led to redistricting in Maryland. This is an election year. Your current representative will stay in office until January 2023 when the newly (November 8, 2022) elected representative will take office. Look at your voter card to see your new district. Google “Primary results Maryland” to see who won the primary election in your NEW district. Contact your future representatives. Use the talking points below. Ask them to sponsor a bill to reinstate benefits to those vested retirees who were hired before July 2011, when the law changed. The more folks who ask, the more they know we are interested.
The following bills effectively grandfathered in those vested retirees who began service before July 1, 2011, but they were never brought to a vote. In 2022, 30% of legislators co-sponsored the bill (and even more said they would vote for it if brought to a vote) but it was never brought up for a vote.
2019 - House Bill 0098
2020 - House Bill 1230
2021 - House Bill 1335
2022 - House Bill 0892
Those hired beginning July 1, 2011 were made aware, when they were hired, that they would transition to Medicare in retirement when they reached Medicare age. So this does not affect them.
We're talking about a specific group which will whittle down as years pass. We all have an expiration date. This only affects those who began state service before July 2011.
The court case determined that those who retired before January 2019 have the right to sue for breach of contract.
Someone who retired after 2019 with 50 years service would not have that right. They will appeal.
This will affect the sickest most.
Those on a fixed income will struggle to pay for medication.
Medicare has a deductible of $480 per person in 2022. The deductible is raised every year. The state does not have a deductible.
Medicare without a deductible has a higher premium.
The current plan is a wrap around plan with both Medicare and state benefits. The state retirees current plan will not be available under Medicare.
There are formulary changes every year under Medicare. It needs an annual review to make sure the correct plan is chosen each year.
Plans use bait and switch to get retirees into their plan and then change it. They change Premiums, Formulary, Deductible, Tiers, and Pharmacy.
Preferred pharmacy. Requires you to use a certain pharmacy or chain to get the lowest cost.
Reimbursement plan under SB-946 (2019) will force some retirees to choose between food and prescriptions. MS, Parkinson's
Those who retired after January 1, 2020 will get reimbursement after reaching the catastrophic phase of Medicare. $7000 in 2022.
After the Inflation Reduction Act there were Medicare Part D changes. The following are some of the changes.
2023 - Limit cost of Insulin to $35 per month
2024 - Eliminate the 5% coinsurance in the catastrophic phase
2025 Cap out of pocket expenses at $2000 per year, which will be adjusted annually for inflation
Compare Medicare Part D out of pocket to the State plan
INDIVIDUAL Medicare $2000 annual cap State $1500 annual cap
COUPLE Medicare $2000 + $2000 annual cap State $2000 family annual cap
The state is paying for the plan now. If they can do that, they can pay for the plan by grandfathering in retirees.
If the state can reimburse, they can pay for the plan.
If the state says it is too expensive, then it is also too expensive for retirees. Is the state content to offload the cost to retirees?
Reinstating the benefits is the right thing to do. Retirees had a deal, work and keep benefits in retirement. The state has not kept their word or their part of the deal. It was bait and switch.
Will a bill be introduced this year? Will you sponsor a bill?