My Opinion
I'd like to address for the members ,my opinion of HR 5714. I'm rather perplexed as to why APWU National took so long to issue a rebuttal on the introduction of this bill. Please understand Congress hopes to have this bill ready for a floor vote in September.
This will come in several parts. This is part 1.
Postal Service Health Benefits Program
It would seem some in Congress want to try and fix the financial short comings of the USPS( that they created in 2006). It would seem they want to begin to save money on the backs of the retirees. This bill would FORCE current postal retirees, their spouses and survivors to enroll in Medicare or forfeit the FEHBP coverage they EARNED through years of service with the US Postal Service.
Another bill that hasn't been discussed is, S. 2051 which FORCES postal retirees to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to continue receiving their current health insurance.
It's safe to say that both these bills would ultimately raise the retirees overall health insurance premium. Can our retirees afford more costs in their life at a time when their income is now limited.
NARFE ( National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association ) opposes HR 5714 as well as S. 2051. It is my opinion that we ( APWU ) needs to speak up before its to late.
Part 2
Congress wants to address the pre-funding mandate that has all but bankrupted the USPS. So in the HR 5714 the fix is... Medicare integration... Forcing Medicare-eligible postal workers into Medicare Parts A,B and D. and also extend the pre-funding for (40) years to September 30th 2055, or within 15 years, whichever is later.
I have spoken to my local Congressman several times on this issue. He agrees it's blatantly obvious that the pre-funding mandate is destroying the USPS.
My question is , why then are we not pushing to remove this mandate that has been placed on the USPS. As I recall there was 43 billion already set aside from payments made in previous years.
So.. In layman's terms.. Congress nearly bankrupts us beginning in 2006 and now the fix to that is extend pre funding 40 years and force Postal employees over to Medicare. Seems we are being treated rather unfairly again. Fixing financial woes of the USPS that congress created, on the backs of the employees and the retirees. Am I missing something?
Why is the USPS the only federal agency that has to prefund it's retiree benefits in this manner... While the other federal agencies have no such burden?
I just don't understand how the APWU can " agree " with this bill if there is some minor changes. It's detrimental to all retirees and those out on disability. I'm simply at a loss
This will come in several parts. This is part 1.
Postal Service Health Benefits Program
It would seem some in Congress want to try and fix the financial short comings of the USPS( that they created in 2006). It would seem they want to begin to save money on the backs of the retirees. This bill would FORCE current postal retirees, their spouses and survivors to enroll in Medicare or forfeit the FEHBP coverage they EARNED through years of service with the US Postal Service.
Another bill that hasn't been discussed is, S. 2051 which FORCES postal retirees to enroll in Medicare Part B in order to continue receiving their current health insurance.
It's safe to say that both these bills would ultimately raise the retirees overall health insurance premium. Can our retirees afford more costs in their life at a time when their income is now limited.
NARFE ( National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association ) opposes HR 5714 as well as S. 2051. It is my opinion that we ( APWU ) needs to speak up before its to late.
Part 2
Congress wants to address the pre-funding mandate that has all but bankrupted the USPS. So in the HR 5714 the fix is... Medicare integration... Forcing Medicare-eligible postal workers into Medicare Parts A,B and D. and also extend the pre-funding for (40) years to September 30th 2055, or within 15 years, whichever is later.
I have spoken to my local Congressman several times on this issue. He agrees it's blatantly obvious that the pre-funding mandate is destroying the USPS.
My question is , why then are we not pushing to remove this mandate that has been placed on the USPS. As I recall there was 43 billion already set aside from payments made in previous years.
So.. In layman's terms.. Congress nearly bankrupts us beginning in 2006 and now the fix to that is extend pre funding 40 years and force Postal employees over to Medicare. Seems we are being treated rather unfairly again. Fixing financial woes of the USPS that congress created, on the backs of the employees and the retirees. Am I missing something?
Why is the USPS the only federal agency that has to prefund it's retiree benefits in this manner... While the other federal agencies have no such burden?
I just don't understand how the APWU can " agree " with this bill if there is some minor changes. It's detrimental to all retirees and those out on disability. I'm simply at a loss