Members testify for prescription coverage for retirees

Two locals in the federation came together to let their voices be heard. City Union of Baltimore retirees joined with leadership and Baltimore Teachers Union retirees to testify at a city council hearing about changes to the prescription drug benefits plan for Baltimore city retirees. CUB President Antoinette Ryan-Johnson kicked off the panel. She spoke about the need to ensure a fair and equitable prescription drug benefit plan for current and retired city municipal workers.

President Ryan-Johnson was joined by CUB retiree Donald Morris and BTU retiree Marsha Taylor in supporting the City Council resolution that would bring greater transparency to the Baltimore City plan for prescription drugs. As it stands now, Baltimore city will no longer cover prescription drugs after 2020 because of expected contributions from the Affordable Care Act. With the uncertainty surrounding that law, Baltimore City Council as well as concerned city employees and retirees want answers as to what will happen in 2020.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke has sponsored the resolution and has called on AFT-Maryland’s support. With that support, the Mayor and her team know the unions in Baltimore city that make up the AFT-Maryland will be heavily invested in seeing what’s next for the city’s prescription drug benefits plan.