In NYC: Retirees Will Not Be Forced Into Medicare Advantage Over Traditional Medicare Despite Court Ruling: Mayor Adams Makes New Announcement, Local Voices Weigh In
In NYC: Retirees Will Not Be Forced Into Medicare Advantage Over Traditional Medicare Despite Court Ruling: Mayor Adams Makes New Announcement, Local Voices Weigh In
As of a few days ago, forcing retired workers to accept Medicare Advantage over traditional Medicare, will not be part of the negotiations for a new contract with the unions going forward. It should be noted that until legislation is passed, any political promise is just that: a promise. If Intro 1096 is passed, then no politician in the future can take this right away. For those looking for a more detailed explanation of the related issues, please see our article from earlier today. Below are statements from Mayor Adams and Curtis Sliwa, mayoral candidates, and Marianne Pizzitola of the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees on this issue:
MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON FUTURE OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on the future of Medicare Advantage:
“I am grateful to the Court of Appeals for recognizing, earlier this week, that the city has a legal right to offer alternative health care coverage plans to retirees and for acknowledging that we must have flexibility to adapt our policies based on changing times. This is an important precedent that will allow the city to modify plans in response to evolving conditions.
“At the same time, we have heard concerns from retirees about these potential changes at numerous older adult town halls and public events, and our administration remains focused on ensuring that New York City remains an affordable place to live. Thankfully, we have found other ways to address health care costs while providing quality health care coverage for our city’s workers, and we have decided not to move forward with the Medicare Advantage plan at this time.
“We have informed union leadership that we are pursuing other avenues for improving health care for city workers that will provide even better outcomes, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the best path forward.”
Sliwa Slams Mayor Adams’ Medicare Advantage Flip-Flop as Election Ploy:
Vows to End Adams’ “Political Stunt” and Restore Retirees’ Medicare Rights
NEW YORK CITY: CURTIS SLIWA, the Republican candidate for New York City Mayor, unleashed a scathing rebuke of MAYOR ERIC ADAMS’ abrupt decision to abandon his years-long push to force city retirees off traditional Medicare into Medicare Advantage plans. Sliwa calls it a desperate, poll-driven stunt to salvage Adams’ fading reelection hopes.
“For 3.5 years, our city’s retirees, people who gave their careers in service to New York, were forced to spend their life savings, their time, and their energy fighting the very city they helped build. They won in court over and over again, and each time Eric Adams chose to appeal. He weaponized taxpayer dollars to wage a legal assault against elderly New Yorkers who just wanted what they were promised. Now, just days after the Court of Appeals ruled in his favor, and just as his reelection prospects dim, Eric Adams suddenly finds the backbone to stop his assault on our retirees. He didn’t find his conscience. He found the polling numbers. Make no mistake, this is a political stunt. If Eric Adams is reelected, he will go right back to breaking promises and turning his back on those who served this city,” Sliwa said.
Sliwa, proudly backed by the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, vows to end this saga on Day One as Mayor. His plan: halt all legal appeals, restore promised Medicare coverage, and ensure retirees are fully reimbursed for withheld premiums and copays. “Our retirees deserve peace in their golden years, not endless courtroom battles,” Sliwa declared. “I’ll stop the games and deliver justice for those who spent their lives serving this city.”
The battle over retiree healthcare has raged for years, with Adams’ administration facing repeated court losses until a recent Court of Appeals ruling in their favor. Posts on X reflect the heated sentiment, with retirees and advocates decrying the initial switch to a cost-cutting Medicare Advantage plan. Sliwa has been an unwavering defender of New York City’s retired public servants.
Curtis Sliwa is running for NYC Mayor on the Republican and Independent Protect Animals line.
Website: https://SliwaForNYC.com
NYC RETIREES JOIN COUNCIL MEMBER MARTE IN A CELEBRATORY PRESS CONFERENCE ON MAYOR’S MEDICARE ADVANTAGE REVERSAL
NYC Retirees join Council Member Christopher Marte at a celebratory press conference following Mayor Eric Adams’s announcement that the city will not move forward with its plan to switch municipal retirees to Medicare Advantage. Joined by elected officials, retirees, and healthcare advocates, Council Member Marte will speak to the significance of this victory and the path forward to permanently protect retiree healthcare through legislation like Introduction 1096.
After years of advocacy, legal battles, and grassroots organizing, the City’s decision not to pursue Medicare Advantage marks a major victory for over 250,000 retirees and their families.
This press conference will recognize that win and reaffirm the Council’s commitment to ensuring those benefits are protected for good.
Banner Image: Marianne Pizzitola and retirees at rally this morning. Image Credit – Curtis Sliwa
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