Many New York State union members are pushing back against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s chief judge pick of Hector LaSalle. James Mahoney, President of the New York State District Council of Iron Workers, railed against Gov. Hochul’s choice two weeks ago, exclaiming, “She promised us that we were going to have a seat at the table. She put us on the menu.”
Unfortunately, Hochul’s administration has also put the healthcare benefits of 1.2 million New York state employees on the menu as well. Starting in July 2023, there will be significant cuts planned to the out-of-network benefits of the New York State Health Insurance Program Empire Plan enrollees, many of whom are union members. These cuts will significantly diminish the comprehensive access to care that state employees and union members currently enjoy with the Empire Plan.
These cuts are being marketed by the state as a cost control mechanism that will encourage in-network utilization. Anyone can read in between the lines and call it what it is: Gov. Hochul’s administration is defunding the Empire Plan off the backs of union members and their families.
Read the full article here:
