Stock Up While You Can

Nothing like being welcomed back to your job with the news that the price of health care is going up. It turns out that the MPS School Board's plan for our contract (the 2003-2005 contract that has already expired by the way) is asking us to foot some of the bill for health care.

While I know that the rest of the free world pays for a piece of their health care, I just find this whole situation odd for many reasons...here are a couple.

1) How can it take 2 years to reach an agreement? The working public is lucky that teachers are not legally allowed to strike because any other organized group would have walked after about 6 hours after their contract expiring (if not less!)

2) We are once again working without a contract. Maybe we can negotiate to change the health care plan to one that is more equitable for educators and their salaries.

3) When being briefed about the changes, I found the following change to be the most entertaining (from www.mtea.org)

Other Changes in HMO:

• Include mail-order pharmacy benefit
• Increase mental health and AODA benefits in HMO
  • 45 days inpatient
  • 45 days outpatient
• Expand access to national provider network in HMO
• Eliminate coverage for sexual and erectile dysfunction medication

We all better stock up before the deal goes in to place Nov. 1!