April 2016 • Vol. 34, Issue 3
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of North Carolina
SEANC members made their voices heard and scored a major victory in early February in the fight to keep health care costs down for state employees and retirees. The State Health Plan Board of Trustees in late January announced it was considering a proposal that included cutting the PPO 80/20 option and spousal coverage in future years. This would have made it the worst state health plan in the country. But just two weeks later, thanks to the enormous outcry primarily from SEANC members, who contacted their legislators in droves to speak against the plan, state Treasurer Janet Cowell backed off the plan. Both board members and legislators credited the many calls, emails and visits from plan members for the change in direction. Several legislators were even in attendance at the Feb. 5 SHP board meeting for the first time in the board’s history. SEANC released a video soon after the proposal was announced highlighting the many changes and the negative consequences of them. The video, featuring SEANC Director of Operations Chuck Stone and Director
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Director's Message Public Policy Members in Action Member Contests Scholarship Theme Park Season
SARA COWELL COBURN
SEANC halts plans to increase State Health Plan cost
SEANC's Director of Operations Chuck Stone and Government Relations Director Ardis Watkins discuss proposed changes to the State Health Plan in a video that proved very popular.
of Government Relations Ardis Watkins, went “viral” through SEANC social media outlets with more than 13,000 people watching it on YouTube. It also reached another 62,000 people through Facebook. Media reports also added pressure. SEANC representatives were quoted in several stories, including District 39 member Mark Dearmon and Watkins in stories that also included comments from legislators on the concerns they’ve heard from SEANC members. At the Feb. 5 SHP board meeting, Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake) pleaded with the board to hold off on the changes until the legislature returned to session. Stone spoke on behalf of the association as well. SEANC’s representative on the board, former president Charles Johnson, was a staunch advocate for state employees at the meeting, raising concerns over how cost-shifting
measures like premium increases and benefit reductions would hurt rankand-file state employees and retirees. Johnson’s father passed away the night before the meeting, but he came to the vote anyway because he felt that it was important that state employees have a voice. In the end, he made the motion to delay benefits changes until May 1 and it passed. The General Assembly returns to session on April 25. The delay guarantees that there will be no cost increase for state employees and retirees in the coming year. SEANC will keep members informed on any proposed changes or developments as that date nears. Saving the 80/20 plan and spousal coverage through the State Health Plan is a victory – for now. But the fight isn’t over. SEANC will remain vigilant and speak out over any attempts to shift cost to state employees.