By Michael V. Cusenza
While the State Court of Appeals last Wednesday ruled in the City’s favor, finding that retired City workers aren’t entitled to traditional Medicare, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday that his administration has decided “not to move forward with the Medicare Advantage plan at this time.”
“I am grateful to the Court of Appeals for recognizing that the City has a legal right to offer alternative health care coverage plans to retirees and for acknowledging that we must have flexibility to adapt our policies based on changing times. This is an important precedent that will allow the City to modify plans in response to evolving conditions,” Adams said in a statement. “At the same time, we have heard concerns from retirees about these potential changes at numerous older adult town halls and public events, and our administration remains focused on ensuring that New York City remains an affordable place to live. Thankfully, we have found other ways to address health care costs while providing quality health care coverage for our city’s workers.”
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography
“Thankfully, we have found other ways to address health care costs while providing quality health care coverage for our city’s workers,” Mayor Adams said.
In April, the City Council Common Sense Caucus filed an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals supporting retired municipal workers, who have argued that the City’s previous decision to switch to Medicare Advantage violated a longstanding agreement that said retirees could opt for traditional Medicare.
“As a retiree myself, I know how devastating it would have been to lose traditional Medicare. This was a reckless move that never should have been considered,” Common Sense Caucus Co-Chairman Bob Holden said on Friday. “Today we celebrate, but our work isn’t done.”
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams added, “The healthcare of our city’s retirees, who have dedicated their lives to public service and improving the lives of New Yorkers, is of paramount importance. Today’s announcement by the mayor only reinforces our consistent position that responsibility for the healthcare decisions of municipal employees and retirees rests with the mayoral administration. We are pleased that the mayor has finally found a resolution to achieve savings without reducing retirees’ healthcare choices, which has always been our priority. I’m heartened that our city and its retirees will no longer face continued uncertainty and can now move towards a solution.”
