AARP NY Praises Legislation to Protect Health Coverage for NYC Retirees in Face of Planned Drastic Cuts

Proposed legislation would require City to offer Medicare-eligible City retirees and their dependents at least one Medigap plan

NEW YORK, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on health coverage for New York City retirees:

“The Mayor’s initiative to change the health care plan available to our retired teachers, police officers, and many other retired public employees would put their long-term health and retirement security at risk.

“We support Int. 1099, which would protect the healthcare choice of retired City employees by requiring the City to offer Medicare-eligible retirees and their dependents at least one Medigap plan with benefits equivalent to or better than those available to City retirees and their dependents as of the end of 2021.

“The City should stand by its commitments to these retired workers for their service over their long careers. Instead, New York City wants to increase their retirees’ health care expenses, reduce their choices, make it more difficult for them to continue visiting their existing doctors, and provide them with far too little information about many other essential plan specifics. Retiree health benefits, which our City promised to retirees during their working years, are a form of deferred compensation that retirees accepted as part of their pay packages. The City shouldn’t go back on its promise by changing benefits after the fact.

“City retirees face rising prescription drug, grocery, and utility costs. These public servants deserve to enjoy their retirement years with the peace of mind that their healthcare needs will be met without unnecessary barriers - or higher costs. AARP urges policymakers to keep the promises the City made to those who dedicated their lives to caring for New Yorkers by passing this legislation.”

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About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/españo or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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