Executive Director’s Report – April 2024

Executive Director’s Report – April 2024

Convention 2024, Sept. 24-26, Wenatchee Convention Center

Are you interested in serving as a chapter delegate to RPEC’s biennial Convention? You do not need to be an officer or chapter committee leader to attend. Any member in good standing is eligible to serve as delegate. If you are interested in being considered for your chapter’s delegation to Convention, contact your chapter president. Delegates are chosen by election at a chapter meeting. If you are selected to represent your chapter, your Convention registration fee and lodging will be covered by your chapter. Guests may also attend at their own expense. The registration fee is $150, which covers the Convention packet and all meals. The Convention hotel is the Coast Wenatchee. The RPEC rate is $116.00 per night before taxes and fees. Visit www.rpecwa.org for more details or contact your chapter president.

Federal Advocacy

Call to action on The Fiscal Commission Act of 2023: If you have not already done so, please join your fellow RPEC members and AFSCME Retiree chapters nationwide in urging Congress to oppose The Fiscal Commission Act of 2023 (H.R. 5779). If this legislation is approved, your federal benefits will be at risk. The Fiscal Commission Act of 2023 (H.R. 5779) will create a 16-member fiscal commission to search for ways to reduce the national deficit and balance the national budget. Funding for Social Security and Medicare will be targeted for cuts. Call 844-331-0441 today! Tell Congress to vote NO on this bill and similar proposals calling for fiscal commissions that aim to reduce your hard-earned retirement benefits. A detailed position paper about the proposed debt commission is available at https://retiredamericans.org.

Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) To Vote on Potential New Pharmacy Benefit, April 11

On April 11, the PEB Board will act on a resolution that will change the pharmacy benefit for

Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic Medicare. RPEC’s Legislative Committee supports this change, as it will lower monthly premiums for most plan subscribers. The medical benefits in the plan will remain unchanged. The new pharmacy benefit will continue to be administered by Moda to provide continuity of service and care for retirees. By making this plan more affordable, the new benefit, if adopted at the April PEB Board meeting, will help to ensure that an employer-managed plan remains in the mix of healthcare plan options available to public sector retirees. Currently, all but two plans are privatized. Preserving traditional Medicare continues to be a key federal priority for RPEC, in addition to preserving these options for the public sector retirees in Washington. Members are encouraged to attend the April 11 meeting and offer comments during the Public Comment period. Visit www.hca.wa.gov for more details.

State Advocacy

Beginning this month, the Legislative Update Calls will be held monthly, the first Friday of each month. Please join us on April 5 from 2-3 p.m. Details are available at www.rpecwa.org.

Council Welcomes New Team Member

Jane Hewitt joined RPEC in mid-March as our new Finance and Operations Specialist. Jane brings more than 40 years of relevant work experience to RPEC. She is married with grandchildren, originally hails from Great Britain, and is an animal lover with three rescue pets. Jane can be reached at jane.hewitt@rpecwa.org. Please give her a warm welcome to RPEC!

Upcoming Events

Visit www.rpecwa.org for a full calendar of Council Office and chapter meetings.

• April 5 Legislative Update Call (2:00 p.m.)
• April 11 Public Employees Benefits Board (9:00 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• April 11 Healthcare Workgroup (3:30 p.m.)
• April 12 Legislative Committee (10 a.m.)
• April 16 Select Committee on Pension Policy (10 a.m.)
• April 19 Pension Policy Workgroup (10 a.m.)
• April 25 Membership Committee (10 a.m.)
• April 25 Healthcare Workgroup (3:30 p.m.)
• April 26 RPEC Staff retreat (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)
• May 3 Legislative Update Call (2:00 p.m.)
• May 6 Executive Board Meeting (9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
• May 7 Executive Board Strategic Plan Work Session (9:30-12:30 p.m.)
• May 8 Public Service Recognition Week (at Heritage Park, Olympia)
• May 9 Public Employees Benefits Board (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• May 9 Healthcare Workgroup (3:30 p.m.)