OMCE member: TAKE ACTION...NOW! Send this letter to the Governor urging him to sign this bill into law. 

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing because I strongly support Assemblyman Peter Abbate and Senator Hugh Farley's bill, passed by the Legislature, to study retiree health insurance for public employees and forbid New York State and local governments from taking health insurance away from retirees until the study is completed (A.9393-A/S.6457-F). Although I understand that times are tough for both families and communities throughout the State, I am concerned that the State and local governments are currently free to eliminate retiree health insurance as they see fit, without first studying all possible options for saving money on retiree health insurance.

Most government retirees worked many years in order to ensure that they would have health insurance in retirement. Now that times are tough, the State and localities are singling us out to balance their budgets.

My fellow public employees and retirees and I would much rather work with public employers to study how we can save money in the long-term, as opposed to singling out one group and creating a temporary cost-saving measure. This bill would enable a dialogue to be started regarding retiree health insurance, while at the same time protecting the insurance benefits that so many retirees rely on. We are counting on you to sign this bill into law when it comes before you for signature.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 23, 2008