Governor Maura Healey is poised to underfund the Group Insurance Commission in her upcoming budget. This will result in the GIC shifting significant costs onto subscribers for the health insurance plans it provides to public employees, including more than 30,000 members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association working at public colleges and universities and in communities that use GIC insurance for preK-12 educators.

These cost shifts in deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses will result in families paying hundreds of dollars – perhaps thousands of dollars – more every year for health care.

Before these increased costs for members come to fruition, Governor Healey and the GIC need to hear from the people who will be affected. These are unjust cost shifts that will save the state a small amount, compared to the significant harm caused for working families.

Every public employee – including the 117,000 members of the MTA – ultimately will feel the impact of whatever changes the GIC makes because even the cities and towns that do not participate in commission plans still use the GIC as a benchmark in setting costs for members for health care plans.

Send a message now to Governor Healey, GIC Chair Valerie Sullivan and your state legislators, demanding that they protect the health care you and your family rely on. Use the prepared message or write your own, either of which will go to Healey, Sullivan, your state senator and your state representative.