On February 12 the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) delayed its vote on changes that would shift additional health care costs onto the backs of public employees.

State employees, including MTA members working at public colleges and universities, and many municipal employees receive their insurance through the GIC.  In addition, the GIC sets the “benchmark” that can be implemented by non-GIC municipal employers, meaning this vote could potentially harm all MTA members.

The GIC’s delay was the result of an outcry of frustration and concern about maintaining affordable health insurance. MTA members sent over 15,000 messages to the Legislature, governor and GIC. Over 80 legislators have signed a letter sent to the governor and the GIC asking them to reject this proposal, and the delayed vote has given us the opportunity to resend it with additional signatures.

Please send a message to your senator and representative asking them to sign on to this letter, which will be resent before the next GIC meeting. As of this update, no date has been set for the next GIC meeting, but it could take place as soon as the week of February 23, so it is important that you send your message today!

Please note that if your senator or representative has already signed the letter, they will not receive an email. In addition, if both of your legislators have already signed the letter, you will see a message reading, “Sorry, no recipients were found. Please enter an address to try again.” In that case, no further action is needed on your part, but you are still encouraged to call their offices to thank them for signing on. You can find their phone numbers by clicking here.