A word of explanation…

The Association is charged with monitoring the implementation of the Contractual Agreement in order to protect and enforce the rights of its members. The Association does NOT have the luxury of objecting to improper practices ONLY when it does not like the outcome. THAT would then become precedent for the next time—when the membership might want the Association to stop the actions of the administration. We must "keep our hands clean" and insist on consistent enforcement that serves as a clear "past practice" to prevent the District from taking back hard-earned gains at the bargaining table.

The Association does NOT object to the District switching its group insurance carrier. That decision is not the Association’s to make; it is up to the members of the District’s group health insurance plan. However, the Association must object when the election process is violated: Individuals who are NOT members of the group were allowed to vote; individuals who ARE members of the group were NOT allowed to vote. That is improper under Section 4.8 of the Contractual Agreement.

Concerning Blue Cross & Blue Shield of IL…

As president of the Association, I attended the meetings conducted at Bennett Elementary and Cairo High School. Questions were raised at the high school meeting that were not raised at the Bennett meeting—questions, the answers to which could impact the few AND the many. For example:

• What about the retired employees who belong to the District’s plan…will they continue to be covered? The insurance agents were NOT AWARE of this group. Were you aware of this small group? They were not even invited to the meetings!

• Will members who seek services from preferred providers outside of IL be fully covered and not have out-of-pocket costs above the 10% co-payment? The insurance agents say yes, but some doctors in Cape Girardeau say no! The insurance agents declined to pursue an answer to this concern. Since a large number of our members regularly seek medical treatment in Missouri and Kentucky, it would be wise to have this matter fully explored and clarified—in writing, if necessary.

It is impossible to obtain an insurance plan that would make everyone happy. However, we owe it to all of us to get answers to all questions prior to voting on whether to switch—especially questions as potentially significant as those expressed above. OUR CONCERN should be in making an INFORMED DECISION that is good for US—NOT in making a decision that would please insurance agents by providing them with hefty commissions.

Accordingly, I have suggested to Dr. Isom that he get answers from BCBS of IL to the above questions and then call a released-time meeting for ALL members of the District’s group health plan to discuss any remaining concerns—so that we can ALL receive the same information. A vote to determine the District’s insurance carrier could be conducted at the conclusion of that meeting.