VSEA.org – Page 89 – Vermont State Employees' Association

VSEA’s Week In Action Newsletter: June 25, 2021!

June 25, 2021 3:07 pm

As we approach the Fourth of July holiday, don’t forget to shop union when purchasing your celebration supplies.
See A Full List of Union-Made Fourth of July Products Here!

July 15 Paycheck Will Reflect Newly Adopted VSEA Dues Structure

VSEA & Lawmakers Push Back Quickly On Proposal To Shutter Five DMV Offices

NMU Members: Last Call To Complete The 2021 Bargaining Survey!

Thunder Road Details Coming!

VSEA Hosting “A Day In The Park” For Members & Families

Does VSEA Have Your Correct Contact Information?

GREAT NEWS! We’ve Been Working Hard To Make It Easier For VSEA Members To Sign Up For Benefits!

Upcoming Meetings:

Quote Of The Week!

Is VT OneCare Saving State Money? State Auditor Says “No”

Teamsters Vote To Make Organizing Amazon A Priority

Read The Full Newsletter Here!

VSEA Needs Your Updated Contact Information!

June 25, 2021 1:57 pm

With potentially tough pension and contract fights ahead for state employees, VSEA’s Organizing Department sent an email to members recently, asking you to take a couple of minutes to update your contact information.

From the email:

“When we get news of a new proposal that could affect your life and livelihood, we count on a swift response from our members to bring about positive change. While the recent success is something to be proud of, we need to be even more effective and nimble to win this fight during the 2022 legislative session. At this time, one of the biggest obstacles the union faces is inaccurate or incomplete contact information from members. If the contact information VSEA has for you is incorrect, you are likely missing out on critically important information, and cannot lend your voice in solidarity with your fellow members.”

Update Your Contact Information Online!

Is VT OneCare Saving The State Money? State Auditor Says “No”

June 23, 2021 10:48 am

Seven Days posted a story recently about State Auditor Doug Hoffer releasing a new report that found VT OneCare is costing state taxpayers more to administer than it is actually saving them.

From the post:

Vermont’s Auditor is again taking aim at the steep costs of the state’s all-payer health care system, raising thorny financial questions as policymakers ponder a new five-year contract with OneCare Vermont.

“Put simply, at this time the financial costs to run the model significantly exceed any Medicaid savings attributed to it,” Hoffer writes in a 41-page report released Monday.

[Hoffer] issued a report last year that stressed the need for the Green Mountain Care Board to be clear how it would evaluate the costs and saving of OneCare, but the board has yet to establish a methodology for doing so, he wrote.“

If now is too soon, then when exactly are Vermonters entitled to call the question on whether their money-saving investments are actually going to save them money? Next year? In five years? Ten? Twenty?” Hoffer writes.

Note: VSEA members will recall that the Scott Administration unilaterally decided in February that State Employee Health Plan members were going to now be attributed to the OneCare, beginning January 2021. At the time, VSEA called for public testimony on the All-Payer Model (the ACO), prior to the State entering into 2021 negotiations with CMS to extend the term of the APM agreement.

VSEA Hosting “A Day In The Park” For Members & Families

June 21, 2021 1:41 pm

On Saturday, July 10, VSEA is hosting a “Day In The Park” for members and their families to enjoy one of six Vermont state parks, including:

Elmore State Park – Morrisville;
Boulder Beach State Park – Lake Groton;
Camp Plymouth State Park – Plymouth;
Emerald Lake State Park – Dorset;
Molly Stark State Park – Wilmington; and
Sand Bar State Park – Milton

At each of the parks listed, VSEA Chapters will be providing members and their families with free park entry, plus free food and beverages. The park day is meant to be a small thank you to VSEA members for your hard work during this especially difficult past year.

Learn More Or Register Here!