Watch: New Bill to Protect NYC Retiree Healthcare is Unveiled

New York City municipal retirees and their allies rally with Council Member Chris Marte outside of City Hall on Wednesday. 

By Joe Maniscalco

“We are winning this Fight!”

New York City municipal retirees rallied outside City Hall on Wednesday in advance of a new bill by City Council Member Chris Marte that could finally end Mayor Eric Adams’ ongoing campaign to strip former city workers of the Medicare health insurance coverage they where promised at the start of their civil service careers.

The advancement of Intro. 1096 follows in the wake of a string of court decisions that have repeatedly held that pushing municipal retirees into a profit-driven “Medicare DisAdvantage” health insurance plan would be a diminishment of existing coverage.

New York City Speaker Adrienne Adams has steadfastly opposed previous legislative efforts to protect retiree healthcare from privatization.

Check back for more on this developing story.

Watch excerpts from Wednesday’s announcement below. Speakers include Council Member Chris Marte, NYCOPSR President Marianne Pizzitola, CROC organizer Sarah Shapiro, and retired educator Evie Jones Rich. 

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