An Open Letter to NYC Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander…
“There is more that can you can do—right now, Brad Lander.”
By Harry Weiner
Dear Brad -
As a retiree from City Service (31 years with NYCHA) and a member of the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees, I feel that your announcement to seek the mayoralty brings hope to our three year struggle to preserve our health insurance benefits.
Alas, your predecessor—Scott Stringer—belatedly found his voice during a December 22, 2021 exit interview with Brian Lehrer, stating: “In fact, if you look at the court proceedings, the city seems literally irresponsible.”
In contrast, you have admirably voiced concerns and empathy over the “bait and switch”, dubbed by candidate Eric Adams in the last campaign. When you rightly declined to register the Medicare Advantage contract in June of 2023, the pending litigation was cited, and you expressed concerns that privatization of Medicare has caused “overbilling by insurance companies…barriers to care under Medicare Advantage” and “allegations of fraud, denials of medically necessary care at 9 of the top 10 Medicare Advantage plans, including CVS Health, which owns Aetna.”
Two months later, when the New York Stare Supreme Court ruled in our favor, you lauded the decision as “ a win for the many retirees who fought for the health care that they worked so hard for and were promised.” Adding, “It is time for all parties to come to the table to identify creative and effective solutions.”
In May, you reiterated these sentiments after the Appellate Division’s affirmation of Judge Lyle Frank’s ruling. Your campaign website informs that “As Comptroller, Brad rejected the Adams Administration's effort to force city retirees onto inferior Medicare Advantage plans they did not want.”
But there is more that can you can do—right now—to aid our efforts. United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said in a June 23, NY1 interview that the City “should stop all of these appeals.” You should share that position.
At a meeting this week with senior citizens in the Bronx, Mayor Adams said that he wasn’t going to “kick the can down the road” and predicted that the next Mayor “is not going to be dealing with this issue.” But just in case, you should promise to end the appeals if they are still languishing.
Your endorsement of our City Council bill, Intro. 1099, to enshrine retiree health benefits would be welcome.
Speaker Adrienne Adams has frozen the bill in the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, refusing to hold a hearing and letting it reach reach the floor.
You could also endorse our State legislation, The Health Equity for Retirees Act (Senate Bill S8388 / Assembly Bill 7866), which would also prohibit the diminishing of our health insurance benefits. Your support for retirees will not be forgotten. The announcement this week that the five pension systems achieved a combined 10% return for fiscal year 2024 will enhance our retirement security.
So would adding your voice to end litigation and passing legislation.
Best,
Harry