Vote Medford 2007

Full Text: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

A new state law allows municipalities to join the state employee Group Insurance Commission (GIC) as a potential means to drive down the cost of health insurance for municipal workers. Do you support or oppose having the city join the GIC and why? Are you currently on the city's health insurance plan?

Arena: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

I support any measure or process which can reduce the cost of health insurance. I am not on the city's health insurance plan and not therefore eligible to participate.

Burke: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

I was very excited when Gov. Deval Patrick put forth the Municipal Partnership Plan. Unfortunately, all of the components have not been approved by the legislature. One of the areas approved was the offering of the state employee Group Insurance plan to municipalities. This was approved with the caveat that 70 % of unions endorse the city's inclusion in the plan. For the record, I do not participate in the city's plan but am a member of the state's plan through my husband's employment. Therefore, I know first hand what a great plan it is. I believe that in the current budgetary environment, the city needs to investigate any and all means available to it in order to maintain services to the community. I would hope that the unions attempt to balance the budgetary concerns of our city while maintaining a high, if not higher standard of health services for its membership when contemplating its involvement.

Camuso: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

GIC sounds like a good idea but I would want to see specific estimates for Medford before committing to such a plan. I am not enrolled in the City of Medford’s insurance plan. The entire area of health insurance needs to be reviewed as costs are going to impact any plan whether it is state or local. The long term requires a complete reassessment of healthcare insurance and of healthcare costs.

Chamberlain: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

On the National, State and Local levels in both public and private sectors the cost of health insurance for employees has become a crisis. Costs are rising and the coverage of many retirees who worked for many years now are worried that they and their dependents will be abandoned. I support any plan that achieves cost savings and security for all municipal employees, retirees and their dependents. The ..... should be implemented if these goals can be achieved.

Dello Russo: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

I support looking at ways to diminish health insurance costs. This is a significant source of frustration and rising expense in the public and private sectors. People should have adequate health insurance and the sense of security which comes with it. It has become increasingly expensive, but employees deserve the best coverage we can afford.  I benefit from health insurance through my business and do not participate in the taxpayer funded plan.

Lungo: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

The Group Insurance Commission is a new state law and very foreign to me. I do however know there are both proponents and opponents to the implementation of the new state law to the City of Medford. It is something I would have to look into before I came out with a firm opinion on it.

I know that those who are receiving the city's health plan want to make sure that their health coverage is as good as what they have now. On the other hand, the GIC would help drive down overall health costs, and the city needs to concentrate on how to save money any place they can. It would take much debate and I would have to do hours of research before I could choose a side.

Maiocco: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

Municipal and school employees union contracts mandate health insurance as a negotiated matter. The mayor negotiates. The state law requires that 70 percent of the unions must agree on joining the GIC.

Marks: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

I support that 110 percent, because by joining it, it will contain costs and may even drive them down for both the city and municipal workers. The only reason I am not taking advantage of the plan at this time is because I get coverage through my employer.

Penta: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

This is purely a City administrative prerogative for review and recommendations. No , I am not.