State retirees are now receiving a mailing from the state Pensions Office notifying us that there will be no changes to our coverage through Dec. 31, 2023. It seems like a victory — no Medicare Advantage plan, no loss of our funds if we opt out. The key word is “seems.” The fight to stop this Medicare Advantage mandate, protect your insurance funds and to prevent this from happening again has just begun. The State Employee Benefits Committee was compelled to comply with the Superior Court order to delay implementation […]
Delaware General Assembly to welcome nine new legislators following election
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen With the additions to Delaware’s General Assembly now clear, the legislature will see little change in the balance of Democratic power when it begins its next session in January 2023. As many lawmakers left to seek new opportunities or retirement, and some falling short in their primary or general elections, there have been several implications on the makeup of the Senate and House of Representatives. Following the general election Tuesday, the House gained six new faces, while the Senate will have three. […]
Romer elected to replace Kowalko in District 25
Newark Post | by Josh Shannon and Matt Smith Voters in the 25th House District chose Democrat Cyndie Romer to replace longtime incumbent John Kowalko, who did not seek re-election. Romer defeated Republican Lynn Mey 65 percent to 35 percent in Tuesday’s election. “I’m feeling very optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to represent the Newark area and ready to get to work and do a good job,” Romer said Tuesday night. She attributed her victory to her effort to knock on doors and meet constituents. “It was amazing to […]
General Assembly cancels plan to discuss Medicare Advantage oversight in special session
Delaware Public Media | by Paul Kiefer Delaware’s General Assembly will not convene for a special session Wednesday to discuss the controversial plan to transfer retired state employees from Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan administered by Highmark Delaware. Lawmakers were scheduled to reconvene to consider a bill that would have provided additional oversight of the transition — a way for the state to track whether retirees were more often denied coverage under the Medicare Advantage plan than under their current plans, for example. That changed after a Superior Court […]
Delaware officials change course, revert to old health plan for state retirees
The News Journal | by Meredith Newman In a major reversal, Delaware officials voted on Monday to keep the current health care plan for state retirees for 2023. The Carney administration had said for weeks the Medicare Advantage plan would be moving forward and could not be changed, even when lawmakers asked for a pause. But that changed last week. A Superior Court judge sided with state retirees in a lawsuit, temporarily blocking the Medicare Advantage plan from going into effect next year. The State Employee Benefits Committee, to comply […]
Delaware pensioners get health care coverage extended following Medicare Advantage lawsuit
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen The State Employee Benefits Committee approved a 12-month contract extension of the Special Medicfill Supplement plan during the committee’s monthly meeting on Monday. The plan, which was set to be replaced by the state’s Medicare Advantage plan on Jan. 1, will be extended through Dec. 31, 2023 as a result of the committee’s vote. The extension allows the State Employee Benefits Committee to comply with Delaware Superior Court Judge Calvin L. Scott Jr.’s Oct. 19 ruling in which the implementation of the […]
RISE Delaware to hold rally for Delaware General Assembly’s special session Wednesday
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Retirees Investing in Social Equity (RISE) Delaware will hold its third rally Wednesday at Legislative Hall before both chambers of Delaware’s General Assembly reconvene. The organization invites supporters to arrive at Legislative Hall by 3 p.m. before the start of the scheduled House and Senate sessions at 4 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear blue and bring signs for the event. On Oct. 19, RISE Delaware was victorious in court after a Delaware Superior Court judge issued a temporary stay on the […]
Medicare Advantage alternative bill introduced in Delaware General Assembly for Wed. session
WDEL | by Mark Fowser Developments are expected soon on the legislative and judicial fronts regarding the future of the State of Delaware’s program to convert to a Medicare Advantage plan, affecting more than 30,000 state retirees and their families. The Special Medicfill Supplement plan would be replaced with a Medicare Advantage plan that many believe would be inferior. But, many found out about it just weeks ago. After some of the retirees formed a group known as Rise Delaware, they went to court and have been able to obtain […]
Legislator files bill to restore Medicare supplement
Cape Gazette | by Ryan Mavity After the Delaware Supreme Court stayed a proposed change to Medicare supplement insurance for state retirees, a state legislator has filed a bill that would give former state employees the option to keep their existing supplement or choose a new Medicare Advantage plan. Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, filed a bill Oct. 20 and said the bill, when passed, will allow the Legislature to fulfill its promises and obligations to its retirees by allowing them to choose between a new Medicare Advantage option or the […]
Judge temporarily blocks Delaware from changing state retirees’ health care plan
The News Journal | by Meredith Newman A Delaware Superior Court judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked an effort to move state retirees to a Medicare Advantage health care plan. Judge Calvin Scott ruled that the state shall “take all necessary and proper steps” to ensure that retirees’ current health care insurance and benefits “remain in full force and effect.” A trial will be held to make a final determination on the future of the Medicare Advantage plan, the ruling stated. The temporary block is a major win for a group […]