From Rene Rodriguez, VCCCDRA President
Dear VCCCDRA Retirees,
This email is intended only for local retirees who are QUALIFIED to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, but are currently NOT enrolled in Medicare, or only enrolled in Part A.
I KNOW THIS IS VERY SHORT NOTICE, BUT IF YOU GET THIS TODAY, THERE IS TIME FOR YOU TO CONSIDER PARTICIPATING. ALL IT REQUIRES IS THAT YOU SHOW UP TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING TOMORROW AND READ A STATEMENT.
You may have recently received a letter from the District involving “IMPORTANT BENEFIT INFORMATION” from Katy Lyon. Patricia Parham, former head of Human Resources at the District, emailed me last evening saying that she was “outraged” by the letter, and suggested other retirees may feel the same way that she does, and may wish to express this to the Board of Trustees at their meeting tomorrow evening.
For this purpose, Patricia included a statement that she plans to read to the Board that could serve as a template for other retirees to use and rewrite as desired and read to the Board.
Gary Johnson and I reviewed Patricia’s suggestion and we think that it would be a VERY GOOD IDEA for as many retirees who are qualified for Medicare but are not currently enrolled, to make their feelings known to the Board of Trustees regarding the prospect of the District forcing Medicare upon them.
What we find new and powerful in this statement, is that it is coming from the individual retiree exerting his or her individual rights. It is an expression from an individual retiree insisting that the District uphold his or her rights as it applies to Medicare.
Below you will find Patricia’s statement for your review and use.
I hope to see as many of you that can make the Board of Trustees meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10 at 5 pm. The address is 761 E Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010, on the frontage road between Carmen and Las Posas. PLEASE SHOW UP BEFORE 5 PM SO THAT YOU CAN FILL OUT THE SIGN UP SHEET TO SPEAK.
Rene G. Rodriguez
VCCCDRA President
Good Evening Members of the Board of Trustees and Administrators.
My name is _____________. I worked as ______________ at ______________ and retired after _______ years of service to the District. I have a vested right to lifetime health benefits for myself and my dependents. I recently received a letter from the District benefits office saying the District may require me to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. My employment contract with VCCCD provides me medical coverage that does not require me to enroll in Medicare Parts A or B.
You do not have the right to impose a Medicare mandate on me. You do not have the right to tell me and my dependents must enroll and pay for Medicare Part B with all penalties and you will reimburse me at a future date. You do not have the right to negotiate or persuade any group about my benefits. I have an individual right.
If you proceed with the plan that requires me and/or my dependents to enroll in Medicare A and B, you will violate the contractual Agreement you have with me. I urge you to read all the contract language you have with me before you proceed. If you actually violate our agreement, I will take whatever steps are necessary to enforce it as written.