Speak up: Reader response on state retiree benefit panel, continued

The Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee, tasked with providing recommendations on proposals for retired state workers’ coverage, met Aug. 24 and Sept. 8 to consider several motions opposed by committee members who are part of the governor’s administration.

The subcommittee will meet again Sept. 28. Its report is due to Gov. John Carney and the legislature by Oct. 1.

How much say should state workers have over what the state offers them in retirement benefits?

What is currently missing from the equation that should be considered?

• Medicare Advantage is a profit-making business, not a Medicare health care not-for-profit. The state should not push this as a health care choice for retirees! There is nothing wrong with the existing Medicfill coverage, except the state is not making a profit. Retirees and state employees should have the deciding opinion on their health care. I will not vote for any politicians who support Medicare Advantage. — Ricki Pryor
• It’s not about profit, or is it? It’s about the quality of health care for the people who worked for low wages their entire career to be able to benefit during retirement, the health care that was promised to them at the signing of their contract. It is not the state employees’ fault that the state mismanaged or did not plan adequately the funds to pay for their health care. Might I remind everyone that, as state employees, those of us who own homes, or two, pay taxes? It is that very money that we contributed that paid for our salaries and continues to pay for our health care. This being fact, why shouldn’t we have a say in what kind of insurance we have? The state had no right to try and force us into Medicare Advantage, which takes away our Medicare. The state was only responsible for 20%. Why, then, were they trying to be responsible for 100% under Medicare Advantage? The biggest question is, knowing that these Advantage companies are being sued for fraud, why would the state of Delaware want to entertain them?! What kind of administrators are these people? Do they have no morals? Rise up, retirees, and “fight the good fight”! — AnRea Frederick MacDonald