SEANC
Executive Director
SEANC announced on March 11 the promotion of Ardis Watkins as the organization’s first female Executive Director in its 73-year history.
Watkins, an attorney, has worked as a lobbyist and Director of Government Relations for SEANC since January 2001, and worked at the N.C. Department of Labor as the Director of Employment Mediation for eight years prior to joining the SEANC staff. She is well-known at the legislature and in the field as a strong voice for state employees and retirees. Under her
leadership, SEANC lobbied legislators to pass the nation’s first $15 minimum wage for state employees in 2018, and her efforts to secure pay raises and funding for the retirement system and State Health Plan have bettered the lives of many working families in the state.
“No one knows SEANC and our issues better than Ardis Watkins,” said President Jimmy Davis. “She is a tireless advocate for our members. We look forward to her leadership of the organization and have high expectations for her.”
“SEANC is my home, and I am
excited to take on this challenge,” Watkins said. “I look forward to leading our staff of determined professionals who care deeply about this organization’s mission as well.”
Coronavirus cases in N.C. increase fears, market volatility
The worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus started to hit close to home for state employees and retirees in March.
The State Health Plan announced on March 13 emergency measures to help members deal with COVID-19, including expanding telemedicine options, waiving prior authorization requirements and eliminating cost-sharing for members for testing. The Plan also increased access to maintenance medications by waiving the early medication refill limits on
30-day prescriptions and waived CVS home delivery charges for medications. The virus has had a negative impact on the stock market, resulting in substantial losses in March.
Fortunately, thanks to conservative management by State Treasurer Dale Folwell, short term gains and losses are not as impactful as the overall health of the pension system. North Carolina’s retirement system is more than 90% funded and was recently rated as “especially well” prepared to weather another recession,
according to a stress test by Pew Charitable Trusts.
Market turmoil like this is why SEANC opposes gambling on risky investments. Folwell has taken criticism from his opponents for not gambling more of state employees’ pensions in the stock market as his predecessors did. His actions have made the retirement system more secure and able to weather downturns.
Retirees should rest assured that pension checks will not be affected by the market volatility.
Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 For more information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins
BCBSNC to administer the State Health Plan through 2024
State Treasurer Dale Folwell announced on March 6 that the State Health Plan named Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) as its third-party administrator through 2024.
Folwell estimates that the new contract will result in $170 million in savings for the Plan because of decreased administrative and network costs. The Plan provides health care to more than 727,000 North Carolinians, including state employees, retirees and their dependents.
BCBSNC was one of three companies
bidding for the contract. Aetna and United Medical Resources, which is a subsidiary of UnitedHealthcare, also submitted proposals.
The contract is worth $9.4 billion and will run from 2022 to 2024. It is expected to save the plan $110 million in administrative costs and $60 million in network costs.
“The savings this contract generates will place us on a more sustainable path,” said Treasurer Folwell. “I look forward to working closely with the BCBSNC
Board of Trustees on our continued relationship as we look ahead to improve transparency and lower health care costs for our Plan members who teach, protect and serve.”
BCBSNC will also administer the State Health Plan Network (CPP) created in 2019 by the Clear Pricing Project. The network consists of 25,000 medical providers that have agreed to transparent medical pricing based on a significant percentage above Medicare reimbursement rates.
SEANC member Denise Jackson named first female warden at Central Prison
The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice recently named SEANC member and advocate Denise Jackson as the first female warden in the history of Central Prison in Raleigh.
Jackson, 55, has been the warden at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain since 2016. In her new position, Jackson is responsible for all operations at Central Prison, a male, high security, close custody facility that has been in continuous service since 1884. Her top priorities are to hire and
retain high-quality staff while emphasizing programs for offenders and enhancing security as necessary at the prison.
“Warden Jackson is a remarkable leader with significant experience in close custody prisons,” said Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee. “She is security-minded and shows a genuine devotion to the safety of the staff and the well-being of the men and women in her care. Central Prison is in good hands with this historic
appointment. She is outstanding.”
Central Prison is a complex operation that houses many of the special populations within the prison system: those with acute medical or mental health needs, many of the most violent offenders who require high levels of security, and those housed in Death Row. Jackson assumed her new post on March 16. A veteran employee to state government, Jackson began her career as a correctional officer at Marion Correctional Institution in 1994, where she also served in the roles of sergeant, assistant unit manager, unit manager, shift captain and special affairs captain.
More than two decades of her career were spent at Marion Correctional, which is a close custody facility that also houses minimum custody offenders. In fact, she helped open the prison.
Humana to offer Medicare Advantage plans with no premiums for retirees
The State Health Plan and State Treasurer Dale Folwell announced in March that the Plan will contract with Humana to provide Medicare Advantage plans beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
The three-year contract will save the Plan an estimated $590 million and comes at no additional cost to taxpayers or the Plan. It will save 155,000 Plan members money on premiums.
Pending the approval by the State Health Plan Board of Trustees, all base plans in this new contract will have NO PREMIUM COST for members. That includes employee only, employee plus spouse, employee plus children and employee plus family coverage.
In the current UnitedHealthcare contract, members in the base plan pay $112 per month for spousal coverage and $224 for family coverage. These changes would come with no cost to state taxpayers.
Each of the enhanced plans will see a
premium decrease as well.
“I’m thrilled that we’re able to provide this type of coverage to those that have taught our children, protected our homes and businesses, or have otherwise served our state and have earned such a valuable
benefit at no cost,” Folwell said. Members will be learning more about the transition of coverage from UnitedHealthcare to Humana over the next several months leading up to Open Enrollment in October.
RETIRING SOON? KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
Navigating the road to retirement can be exciting but confusing. If you are planning to retire soon, you will need to decide what health care option is best for you and your family. To help with this decision, the State Health Plan is hosting several in-person informational sessions on how to maximize your health plan
options when you become Medicare eligible.
The sessions, titled “Understanding Your Medical Plan Options When You Become Medicare-Eligible,” are designed primarily for retired members who are turning 65 in the next two years, and for members who are over 65 and still actively working.
These sessions are approximately two hours long.
Can’t attend a meeting? No problem! There are several webinars available that cover the same information as the in-person events. The dates and times of the in-person sessions and webinars may be found at www.shpnc.org.
SEANC accepts advertising material from companies and persons seeking to communicate with SEANC members. Acceptance of this advertising does not indicate SEANC approval or endorsement of any representation that the message, product or service is as represented by the advertiser. SEANC accepts no responsibility and shall not be liable for any use of or reliance on any such information, product or service. SEANC is a private entity and is under no obligation to carry advertisements of any nature, political or otherwise, that may be viewed as contrary to the interests of the association and its membership.
If you’re thinking about retiring, you should submit retirement paperwork 120 days before your retirement date to ensure that you’re eligible for most health plan options.
If you’re already retired and under 65, your health plan options change when you turn 65. You’ll need to make decisions about your new options.
Also, please contact the SEANC Office 30 to 60 days before retirement to let us know you plan to retire. We do not always get updates from the state on employee status. A change can affect your dues deduction and insurance options.
Denise Jackson
Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Retiree Council Chairman Benny Brigman, State Treasurer Dale Folwell and EMPAC Chairman Mark Dearmon.
Christmas Community Service Projects
J ACQUE C HATMAN 25-year member
Growing up in Red Springs, a small town in Robeson County, District 20 Chairwoman Jacque Chatman learned the importance of compassion, hard work and family.
Chatman dreamed of owning her own business and majored in Business Administration at Robeson Community College, but she found her true calling in the classroom.
In 1988, she began working at Red Springs Middle School as a teaching assistant for students with learning disabilities.
“Working as a teaching assistant taught me patience,” Chatman remembers. “I did not realize at the time, that working with special needs kids prepared me to work inside a prison.”
Chatman is passionate about teaching students of all ages. Teaching youth, whether in an academic or a church setting, gives her the opportunity to positively impact their lives. She teaches them to make good choices, not to yield to peer pressure and how to be a true leader with integrity.
In 1995, Chatman began working as a correctional officer at Sandhills Youth Center. Over the years, she has been promoted many times. Her dedication, experience and love of teaching led to her current position as Correctional Training Instructor II.
Since prison staff work in dangerous, high-stress conditions, Chatman’s position as a basic training instructor for new correctional officers is critical for their future success, health and well-being. Chatman also uses her personal time to encourage her students to become active SEANC members.
Chatman’s dedication and passion for SEANC is evident. In addition to serving as District 20 Chairwoman for ten terms,
she is highly admired and respected."
she has served as chairwoman for many district committees.
She also serves on the state Select Prison Reform Committee where her vast experience and insight have highlighted the problems in the system.
Under Chatman’s leadership, District 20 sponsors many membership drives and gives back to the community by endeavoring to sponsor a project in each of the district’s counties annually.
“I always try to ensure District 20 is represented as a district of integrity and is loyal to its members,” Chatman said.
“SEANC has been a part of my life for the last 25 years so I am going to continue this journey until I can’t go anymore.”
“Jacque wears so many hats in her district,” praised SEANC Member Relations Representative Felicia Powell.
“She takes the lead on many district and community events and believes in giving back to her members...her friendly, compassionate demeanor and attention to details are extraordinary.”
Chatman is always available for district members who have questions or need assistance.
“As SEANC members, we are here for our state employees and retirees and I stand by that whole-heartedly,” she said. Past President and District 20 member Cliff Brown said, “Jacque stays informed of EMPAC issues and conveys them to all of us during our meetings and through emails. She encourages members to send emails and meet face-to-face with legislators.”
Chatman believes a strong, unified SEANC membership is crucial in making sure state employees’ and retirees’ best interests and value to North Carolina are taken seriously by legislators. In addition to SEANC, Chatman is devoted to Red Springs Gleaners #382, Order of the Eastern Star and works with her mother and sister at the family’s decorating and catering business.
“I have been blessed with three beautiful daughters: Katrina, Robyn and Alexys, and four grandchildren: Amyah, Aaliyah, Brandon, Jr. and Aden. I am also engaged to District 20 member Charles Hedgpeth.”
"Jacque Chatman has effectively, with passion and dedication, steered SEANC towards growth in every way possible. She is the glue that holds District 20 together. Her leadership is the main ingredient in our success as a district. As a true leader,
Past Matron Red Springs Gleaners #382
District 20 Chairwoman Jacque Chatman (far left) distributes presents in December during the Christmas Toy Giveaway in Raeford.
SEANC Past President Cliff Brown
President Jimmy Davis and DHHS Study Committee Chairwoman Sonya Akbar met with Sen. Jim Burgin in late February to discuss mental health and prison issues.
District 22 members helped gather and package hundreds of items for care packages to send to our military serving abroad as part of NC Pack4Patriots on Valentine’s Day.
Representatives Jon Hardister, Pat Hurley and Stephen Ross met with District 17 members on Feb. 17 in Burlington, as seen here with Second Vice President Kirk Montgomery, District 17 Chairman Kemrey Lamarr and SEANC lobbyist Resha Fortson.
District 2 Chairman Cliff Johnson stood up for members in the Asheville area at a meeting concerning the Mission Health merger with HCA.
District 42 partnered with the Emerging Leaders Council and NC Fast to collect and deliver 182 blankets to area nursing homes. On Dec. 20, Lakevia Evans, Tracy Webb and Rhonda Woolard visited Elmcroft Senior Living in Raleigh. District 42 Chairwoman Shirley Bell and Tracy Webb visited Clayton House and Brian Center of Clayton in Johnston County on Jan. 6 to deliver the rest of the blankets.
District 3 sponsored a harassment training for Mitchell County DSS Employees on March 6. District 3 Chairwoman Anne Castro led the training and District 3 member Rhonda Robinson and Member Relations Representative Johnny Davison described the benefits of SEANC membership.
Chatman's daughters Robyn, Alexys and Katrina.
Chatman's grandchildren (top photo from left to right): Aaliyah, Brandon, Jr. and Amyah (photo immediate left) Aden.
District 38 Vice-Chairman Brandon Heath (left) presents South Johnston Principal William Weaver with $320 from the district, as well as nonperishable food items for the South Johnston Food Pantry.
22 members Mary Hulen, Elmer Hulen, Nekisha Brown and her son volunteered at the event.
Chairwoman Deborah Harney
District 22 member Mary Hulen present Ann Mathis, widow of founder Moses Mathis, with a donation from District 22. Mrs. Mathis continues her husband's dreams of community bicycle outreach.
District 22 member Andrew Boyd assisted a child with a bicycle.
District 22 members volunteered and gave a donation to The Moses Mathis Bicycle Event on Dec. 21.
District
By Beth Dew
CASES: PROTECTING STATE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Representing State Employees in Grievances, Court of Appeals, and NC Office of Administrative Hearings
■ Disciplinary Appeals
■ Grievances / Just Cause
■ Exempt Designation
■ Health Care Registry
■ Whistleblower Cases
■ Dismissal Appeals
■ Law Enforcement Certification
State employees are good people. But even good people make mistakesmistakes that violate your rights as a career employee, discriminate against you, or cost you a promotion or job.
My practice is restricted to state personnel disciplinary and licensing matters. I have litigated personnel cases in the Office of Administrative Hearings since the 1990s.
If you have a grievance, disciplinary appeal, or any state employment matter, call (919) 274-9020 or email me at michael@mbyrnelawnc.com.
Learn how I put 20 years of experience and consistent success in state personnel cases to work for you - when your rights are on the line.
