Last Updated on October 9, 2023
Are you, as a State of Maryland Retiree, aware that you may be in jeopardy of losing your Prescription Drug Benefits?
In 2011, under Governor O’Malley, the General Assembly passed a law to eliminate our prescription benefits, thus requiring Medicare-eligible retired state employees to seek coverage through Medicare Part D. Unfortunately, the Department of Budget & Management continued to not disclose to employees retiring between July 2011 to June 2018 that the State Subsidy, which lowers prescription drug expenses for Medicare eligible State retirees, was eliminated in 2011.
How does this affect State Retirees? Changing to Medicare Part D would cause significant increases in prescription drug costs; as well, state retirees and their dependents/spouses would have to enroll separately every year from October 7 – December 7 to maintain prescription drug coverage. Surely, this is a significant change. As retirees age, and some faced with debilitating cognitive issues, “transfer to this federal system will ensure that Medicare eligible State Retirees will not maintain their coverage.”
Importantly, for the past five years, there has been an ongoing litigation by Ken Fitch (United We Matter) and Deborah Hill (lawyer), representing the Plaintiffs (State Retirees), to maintain our prescription coverage.
As part of this effort and to ensure all Maryland State Retirees living at Charlestown are aware of what is happening, the Political Committee would like to hold a meeting to provide an update and discuss ways we can join efforts to raise our voices and contact our senators and delegates to protect our prescription benefits.
If you are a Maryland State Retiree, please contact Jean Williamson (Residents’ Council Legislative & Political Committee). Based on the number of resident responses, the date and location for a follow-up meeting will be forwarded by the end of the month.
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I look forward to hearing from you. Please reach out if you have any questions!
Jean Williamson
(Contact information is available in the Resident Directory)