The Center for Public Integrity | by Melissa Hellmann, Maya Srikrishnan, Ashley Clarke and Joe Yerardi As she opened her $1,600 property tax bill in February, Edith Baltazar suddenly lost her appetite for the eggs she’d prepared for lunch with her daughter. Her thoughts raced: Would their home be taken away if she couldn’t pay it? Baltazar’s daughter wept. The family would have to make a difficult decision: the property tax or $2,000 for diabetes medication. The taxes won. “Sometimes you have to choose — pay your property taxes instead […]

Newark Post | by Josh Shannon Two political newcomers are facing off in the Democratic primary to replace State Rep. John Kowalko, who is retiring after 16 years representing District 25. The winner of the Sept. 13 primary between Ed Klima and Cyndie Romer will go on to face Republican Lynn Mey, a chemical engineer who lives in the Cannonshire neighborhood. District 25 encompasses the southern half of Newark, from Main Street down to Glasgow and from the state line east to the Norfolk Southern rail line. Kowalko has endorsed […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen As state pensioners prepare for the switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan on Jan. 1, lawmakers and stakeholders have continued to express their concern regarding the change in coverage. Stemming from the state’s plan to address its $10 billion Other Post-Employment Benefits liability, the change came after more than two years of deliberation on how the state could address the liability. This included routine meetings from the Retirement Benefits Study Committee and the State Employee Benefits Committee on possible solutions and the […]

The News Journal | by Meredith Newman Starting next year, the state will be offering Delaware state retirees a new type of Medicare plan, which has sparked a number of questions and concerns among retirees. What follows is an explanation of the Medicare Advantage plan and why state officials believe it will help save money – despite the unease among many. What is Medicare Advantage? Medicare Advantage, also referred to as Medicare Part C, consists of Medicare plans available through private companies. It’s often seen as a cost-saving alternative to […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen To oppose the move to a Medicare Advantage Plan for state pensioners, Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, and New Castle County 5th District Councilwoman Lisa Diller are teaming up to form Retirees Investing in State Equity Delaware (RISE Delaware). The organization is dedicated to advocating for and informing state retirees about the change from the previous Medicfill Medicare Supplement Plan to the Medicare Advantage Plan, scheduled Jan. 1, 2023. “There are about 30,000 retirees and dependents affected,” Rep. Kowalko said. “These retirees paid […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen State of Delaware pensioners who are eligible for Medicare will have their coverage transitioned into a new, customized Medicare Advantage Plan starting Jan. 1, 2023. After a diligent bidding process, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware was awarded a three-year contract in February to administer the change. The Freedom Blue PPO Medicare Advantage Plan, which would replace the Medicfill Medicare Supplement Plan, is the product of years of work by committees aiming to provide quality coverage while reducing Delaware’s $10 billion unfunded […]

Delaware Public Media | by Paul Kiefer State lawmakers met with Delaware’s Pension Benefit Committee on Tuesday to discuss a healthcare change for 25,000 retired public employees. In February, the state’s Pension Benefit Committee awarded a three-year contract to Highmark Delaware, longtime insurance provider for state employees, to administer a new plan for state retirees known as the Medicare Advantage Plan. The plan would replace retirees’ existing Medicare plan. Delaware Human Resources Secretary Claire DeMatteis says the plan differs from the existing program in several ways. First, Highmark takes on […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen The time for Delawareans to cast their ballot is quickly approaching, as the state’s primary election is less than a month away. On Sept. 13, voters will have the chance to pick their desired candidate for their respective party. While all of the seats in Delaware’s General Assembly will be up for election due to redistricting, there are a select number of competitive races, as many incumbent elected officials will be unopposed in the primary election. Currently, there will be three competitive […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen At the entrance of the Timberlane manufactured housing community in Newark, several lawn signs can be found displaying the message, “Rep. Wilson-Anton, where is the apology?” Despite these lawn signs and further requests for an apology, Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, D-Newark, has stood her ground. These requests stem from a feud that ignited June 8 at the House’s Manufactured Housing committee meeting, during which Rep. Wilson-Anton verbally confronted Reybold Group Executive Manager Jerome Heisler Jr. for the closure of the Timberlane manufactured housing […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Coming to a compromise for comprehensive legislation was no easy task for manufactured housing stakeholders, lobbyists and lawmakers this past legislative session. Typically home to seniors on fixed incomes or low-income families, residents of manufactured housing communities have been subject to rent increases that often lead to drawn-out court cases and arbitration hearings. Over the past several years, lawmakers had contemplated ways to level the playing field for residents. Legislators had been tasked with finding a middle ground in their discussions, primarily […]