Week In Review: a 5K, and a Health Insurance Deal
Sharon Patch looks back at its top stories of the past week.
Saturday: Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday:
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Health Insurance
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Sharon Selectmen OK Health Insurance Agreement
The vote happened Thursday night.
After a roughly 30-minute executive session, the Sharon Board of Selectmen on Thursday night approved a health insurance agreement with Sharon's collective bargaining units and retirees. Selectmen voted on Jan. 10 to begin the process of changing Sharon's health insurance benefits under the Massachusetts Municipal Health Insurance Law enacted last July. The Sharon Insurance Advisory Committee then negotiated with the Sharon Public Employee Committee, which had representatives from each of Sharon's 14 collective bargaining units, and its retirees. A tentative deal was reached last Wednesday. "In the end, the board feels it to be a fair agreement that serves both the interests of the town as well as its employees," Chairman Richard Powell …
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sharon Selectmen Don't Vote on Health Insurance Deal
Town and school employees demonstrate during Tuesday night's meeting
In front of a standing-room-only audience -- seven holding informational picket signs -- the Sharon Board of Selectmen Tuesday night voted to enter executive session to discuss, but not vote on, a tentative two-year deal that would increase the municipal employees' health insurance costs. The vote happened after more than 100 Sharon town and school employees demonstrated in front of the Sharon Town Offices, many holding "Solidarity Forever. Treat Town Employees with Dignity & Respect. Affordable Healthcare" signs and chanting slogans. The rally and picket lasted at least 90 minutes. And the chants, such as "Health care for all. Don't drop the ball," were heard loudly in the second-floor meeting room where selectmen met. Selectmen Chairman …
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Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sharon Unions, Town Begin Insurance Talk
The sides exchanged and requested information Friday.
Sharon's 15 collective bargaining groups and the Sharon Insurance Advisory Committee exchanged and requested information Friday, their first meeting since selectmen voted to begin the process of changing town employees' health insurance benefits on Jan. 10. Friday's meeting went "as well as could be expected," said Pete Schoonmaker, spokesman for the Public Employee Committee. The committee includes 11 members, representing Sharon's 15 collective bargaining groups, said Schoonmaker, a Sharon teacher representing the Sharon Teachers Association and the instructional assistants. Sharon's retirees are among those represented on the committee. "No real negotiating took place," Schoonmaker said Friday night. The next meeting is Wednesday, "when…
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
Sharon Employees Say Health Insurance Proposal Hurts Them
Town says proposal will reduce the plan's cost by $655,212 in year one.
Town officials Wednesday proposed municipal health insurance changes they project reducing the health plan's cost by $655,212 for the fiscal year starting July 1. Sharon employees countered that the move will hurt them financially through higher co-pays. The proposal would reduce employee and Medicare retirees' share of the rates by $174,143, according to an executive summary of the plan. Also, Sharon would mitigate the impacts by setting aside $163,803, not taking it in employee and retiree contributions for three weeks during the next fiscal year. "People are going to start thinking,'Gee, do I have the money?'" one woman said. "This stuff is something that will make those of us with kids think twice, and it's not going to be right." The …
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Constance Keegan
8:13 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
...and know that the state negioates hard to keep quality up and costs down. Of course health care costs continue to rise so the cost of the plans do too. Could someone from the town tell me with specific numbers, how much the money difference is for a town worker. Remember, this is 2012...and our taxes are extremely high compared to other towns. Thanks... more ›
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Sharon Selectmen Start Health Insurance Review
Board votes 2-0 to have Sharon begin a process outlined in a state law.
Sharon has started a state process to change town employees' health insurance benefits. However, some town union leaders say the matter surprises them, and question the need to use this process. Selectmen voted 2-0 Tuesday night to have Sharon enter the process of changing town employees' health insurance benefits under state law Chapter 32B, Sections 21, 22 and 23. Selectman Walter "Joe" Roach Jr. recused himself. He said he subscribes to Blue Cross Blue Shield through Sharon's retirees program and was advised by counsel that voting would be a conflict of interest. Town Administrator Benjamin Puritz said town officials now will notify Sharon's insurance advisory committee, which will have 10 days to convene a public meeting. A cost …
FrankPNelson
1:06 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
People should never forget that real health depends how well you take care of yourself and not what health insurance you carry but I agree health insurance is important for every one. Search "Penny Medical" or online for dollar a day insurance plans. more ›
Tina Kasimer
6:29 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012
What about the shared sacrifice that Obama keeps talking about? more ›