The Boston Globe
Accord on health costs is worth the wrangling
March 17, 2011
THE GLOBE objects to the unions' proposal for health insurance because it would "guarantee further wrangling'' over this benefit ("Unions' plan on health costs offers way too little, too late,'' Editorial, March 9). Yes it does, if wrangling means employees and retirees having some say over how important changes are made.
Under the coalition's plan, negotiations would have to happen quickly and be constrained by a tight box. We have agreed that costs must be reduced to a set level pegged to the state's Group Insurance Commission. This is a huge concession that unions are making to save jobs and protect services.
The Globe also objects to our proposal to allocate some of the savings to help chronically ill employees who have high out-of-pocket costs. Our three-year plan would save an estimated $120 million a year. We want half of the first year's savings, or $60 million, to be set aside to soften the impact on those hit hardest.
We are proud to stand by a proposal that calls for sacrifices by our members but protects those with the greatest needs. We consider it a plan worth wrangling over.
Tim Sullivan
Vice president
Massachusetts Teachers Association
Boston
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