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January 9, 2023

City Council Testimony

Testimony before the Committee on Civil Service and Labor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

James Davis testifies at City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

James Davis testifies at City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

City Council Hearing to Protect Our Healthcare January 9, 2023 photo by Erik McGregor

SEE TESTIMONY BY PSC MEMBERS BELOW.

SOME CONTEXT:  The City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor initiated consideration of a proposed Administrative Code change that would clear the path for the City to implement a Medicare Advantage plan and begin charging retirees a premium to opt out. The legislation would also prepare the way to diminish healthcare insurance and increase costs for actives (in-service employees).  The proposed change was introduced at a City Council meeting on Wednesday, January 4; the Civil Service and Labor Committee convened a public hearing on Monday, January 9 .Overwhelmingly in opposition to (1) chnanging the administrative code and (2) moving retirees to Medicare Advatage, several hundred NYC retirees and employees testified in person, virtually or by sumitting wrtten testimony,  Their testimony was dramatic, powerful and re-shaped the narrative of the 11-hour 1/9/23 hearing.  Tellingly, a vote on the amendment, tentatively scheduled for a  stated meeting of the City Council on Thursday, January 19, did NOT take place.

(A NY Daily News article posted online on Thursday evening, January 19,  had a headline that read, “NYC Council has no plan to pass bill that would let Mayor Adams charge retired city workers for health care: ‘It’s dead’.”)

Below is PSC testimony by PSC members.  Many more testified — and we will add their testimony if they choose to send it to us.  (Send testimony to our Communications Director, Fran Clark, at [email protected].)

The entire 1/9/23 City Council hearing is available HERE with testimony by James Davis and a PSC panel beginning at the 5:48:15 timestamp.

City Council Testimony, January 9

James Davis, PSC President

Barbara Caress, Healthcare Policy Expert, Baruch College

Anne Friedman, PSC Retirees Chapter Chair

Jen Gaboury, PSC Hunter College Chapter Chair

Karen Anderson, CUNY Retiree

Barbara Becker, CUNY Retiree

Carl Aylman, CUNY Retiree

Marvin Ciporen, CUNY Retiree

Robert Cowen, CUNY Retiree

Jackie DiSalvo, CUNY Retiree

Bill Friedheim, CUNY Retiree

Marthe Gold, CUNY Retiree

David Kotelchuck, CUNY Retiree

William Laziza, CUNY Retiree

David Marshall, CUNY Retiree

Eileen Moran, CUNY Retiree

Bonnie Nelson, CUNY Retiree

Marcia Newfield, CUNY Retiree

Jim Perlstein, CUNY Retiree

Susan Pickman, CUNY Retiree (Spouse)

Barbara Quart, CUNY Retiree

Evelyn Rich, CUNY Retiree

Leonard Rodberg, CUNY Retiree

Nancy Romer, CUNY Retiree

Irwin Yellowitz, CUNY Retiree

Mark Kagan, CUNY Graduate Center

Lizette Colon, Hostos CC

…and click HERE for an op/ed by Barbara Bowen and Barbara Caress in the NY Daily News timed to appear the same day as the NYC Council hearings.


Published: January 12, 2023 | Last Modified: May 10, 2023

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