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Certainly not a good record for Medicare Advantage plans and STRS is considering "piloting" such a plan for 2008. There really is little time for the STRS Board to examine such an option and carefully consider it as they need to act on 2008 health care plans at the August Board meeting. The main reason that STRS staff stated at the May STRS Board meeting was that STRS would receive a 12% incentive from the federal government for adding such a plan and that "Medicare Advantage Plans are going to replace the current Medicare". Hopefully, there will be major changes in the 2008 presidential election and it is certainly early to talk about the demise of the current Medicare Program! ~ Nancy Hamant Who Gets the Advantage? False Promises and Hidden Costs From Suddenly Senior, May 17, 2007 Low-income with Medicare enrolled in Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) receive assistance in paying the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare. Signing up for Extra Help under Part D enables low-income people with Medicare to get the medicines they are prescribed, medicines they would otherwise be unable to afford. Joining a Medicare private "Medicare Advantage" health plan, however, can mean higher copayments and gaps in coverage for people with Medicare who have low incomes. Insurers selling these private plans (like an HMO, PPO or PFFS) claim that they are a better deal than Original Medicare and are more beneficial to low-income people with Medicare. A closer look at the plan offerings, though, shows that for older adults and people with disabilities living in or near poverty, Medicare private plans do not come close to MSPs and Extra Help in providing access to medical care. Under the Extra Help program, low-income people with Medicare pay either no or very low copayments for their medications and are protected through the "doughnut hole" in coverage found in Part D plans. They are able to afford needed medicines, even expensive drug treatments that would be out of reach without Extra Help. Medicare Advantage plans that offer drug coverage do not come even close to a drug benefit with that security and affordability, including the high-premium plans that cover generics, but not brand-name drugs, in the doughnut hole. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, an MSP available to people with Medicare living below the poverty line, pays all the Medicare Parts A and B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance for medical care. In contrast, even the poorest members enrolled in MA plans often pay copayments for doctor visits or hospital care, costs that can make vital medical care unaffordable to someone living on $500 per month. Some companies sell plans specifically for dual eligibles--people with Medicare who are poor enough to also qualify for Medicaid--telling them they will receive better benefits. Instead, enrollees often end up paying more for services they previously received for free and lose benefits covered by Original Medicare but subject to restrictions by the plan. Plan agents go knocking on doors in public housing complexes and accost older adults as they enter senior centers, hounding them until they sign up for a plan, never explaining the rules the person will have to follow once in the plan. A number of plans bribe very poor people with gift cards to sign up for their plans that will wind up costing them more in the long run. Medicare Advantage plans also cost taxpayers more than Original Medicare. Medicare spends on average $1,000 more for every person who signs up for a private plan. In 2007, overpayments will total $7.5 billion. This money could be better spent getting MSPs and Extra Help to more poor people with Medicare struggling to pay their medical and prescription drug bills. Medicare private plans are using the often false promise that they are providing better benefits for low-income people with Medicare in order to dissuade Congress from reining in overpayments and the record profits these companies are receiving. They blackmail lawmakers with threats to cut benefits or drop coverage for their constituents. Lawmakers need to see through this scam. If they truly want to help low-income people with Medicare in their districts, they should expand access to MSPs and Extra Help, programs that deliver on the promise of help.

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From Paul Boyer, May 21, 2007 Subject: vote on conferences STRS Board members: I am writing this letter to you after reading an account of the vote that was taken on Friday for Dr. Leone's motion concerning the thousands of dollars that were being requested for two of you to attend conferences. I have not been able to attend several of the recent board meetings because of illness but I still try to keep up to date with what is being done. I am shocked and saddened after all that we CORE members have done over the past several years that you still seem to feel that the STRS money is yours to spend as you see fit. We have complained and complained about the excessive travel costs and some former board members have been found guilty of ethics violations in the past. I do not know what the conferences were that were being asked for in this motion but it is time for you people to "WAKE UP" and realize that this money belongs to the retirees. ORC 3307.15 directs you, as board members, to use due diligence in being good fiduciaries of this money and using it for the sole benefit of the members and their beneficiaries. Need I copy that whole item into this letter? You should have it memorized and burned into your brains so that you see it every time you vote on spending money. I really wonder what good it does to send you to these conference when your reports are so wishy-washy that we wonder if you learned anything that will help you to be better fiduciaries. Please, "WAKE UP " and pay attention to the motions Dr. Leone makes to save our retirement. We will stand back of him 100%, all the way. Thank you for your attention. Paul L. Boyer Retired since 1985 Life OEA/OEA-R, NEA, ORTA, CORE Proud to be named

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Your rapidly shrinking pension dollars at work -- in beautiful Milwaukee and Chicago! STRS Board shoots down spending moratium (to benefit themselves, of course -- shades of dej

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Will First DataBank Deal Get Settled? From Pharmalot.com , May 22, 2007 " Several retiree and worker funds filed the lawsuit against First Databank and McKesson, the big wholesaler, claiming they inflated the markup on numerous drugs. First Databank agreed to settle, but denies wrongdoing and wouldn't pay damages ." (Imagine that! - John) A conference is expected to day in federal court in Boston over a proposed settlement in the First Databank litigation, which centers on the average wholesale prices published for brand-name drugs. First Databank is a unit of Hearst. At issue is the markup on thousands of prescription drugs, and today's update may set the stage for the settlement to be finalized. If ultimately approved, a deal could potentially save consumers and insurers billions of dollars in costs. Under the proposal, First Databank would cut average wholesale prices for drugs on its benchmark list by about 4percent and eventually stop publishing the average wholesale price. Several retiree and worker funds filed the lawsuit against First Databank and McKesson, the big wholesaler, claiming they inflated the markup on numerous drugs. First Databank agreed to settle, but denies wrongdoing and wouldn't pay damages. McKesson hasn't agreed to settle. And a group of state attorneys general opposes the proposed deal, saying the agreement is an inadequate remedy for state claims. In 2002, First DataBank suddenly raised prices on its AWP list. Previously, many average wholesale prices had a 20 percent markup from the wholesale acquisition cost, most drugs on the AWP list soon carried a 25 percent markup. Further reading... The Wall Street Journal (subscription required); Settlement agreement.

Tags: databank, drug, price, markup, wholesale

From George Doyle, May 23, 2007 Subject: Out of State Trips Constance: I have received numerous complaints from my members about authorizing out of state trips for STRS board members. It seems to me that if these board members feel it is so beneficial; perhaps they could pay for their own trips and if the board, after receiving documented reports from the meetings, determines that this was valuable to the whole board and the retirees, then reimburse them for their expenses. I feel that too many times conferences seem worthwhile on paper but when you actually get there very little information is of value to take home to the rest of the group. Please try to exercise better judgment in the future. We retirees have suffered enough at the hands of the Board. Please listen to Dr. Leone and John Lazarus when they speak. Unlike some, they are not just speaking to hear themselves speak. They are taking the action for the retirees that needs to be taken. I have become very disappointed with you because you promised me at the Spring Representative Assembly when you were running that you would do all in your power to protect our retirement. So far you have not lived up to one of your promises! I find that I can no longer have any faith in what you said and I will do my best to try to get someone else in there that will respect the position for which they were elected. George V. Doyle, President Allen County Retired Teachers Association OEA Life Member NEA Life Member ORTA Member CORE Life Member

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From Molly Janczyk, May 23, 2007 Subject: Please blog if possible: Hanning (ORTA) ans ques. on Sub. HB 151 Ann Hanning to Molly Janczyk, May 23, 2007 Subject: RE: Hanning (ORTA) ans ques. on Sub. HB 151 Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 15:48:43 -0400 Molly, You are welcome. awh Subject: Hanning (ORTA) ans ques. on Sub. HB 151 Thank you, Ann. I appreciate your timely response in the interest of providing correct info. --- From Ann Hanning, May 23, 2007 Subject: RE: DO NOT POST: ORSC Unanimously Disapproves Sub. HB 151 Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 15:17:38 -0400 Molly, Ideally, HB 151 (or Sub HB 151) would be defeated in committee. However, some proposed bills stick like tics. So you work with the sponsors & others. The bill sponsors are passionate freshmen legislators. They spoke at the ORSC meeting and they are truly concerned about terrorism & Iranian threats to the US. As you know, a Sub HB 151 was submitted earlier this week. There are some changes from the original bill. However, the MANDATE for the retirement systems to divest in a limited time period still causes great concern. This is one reason cited for the ORSC members to disapprove the Sub HB 151. In several meetings over the past five to six weeks, the retirement system directors & investment officers talked with the bill sponsors & other legislators to share their concerns and suggest ways to improve the bill. The pension system leaders & ORSC staff have suggested that removing the mandate to divest and replacing it with a requirement that the retirement boards adopt a policy to address investments in scrutinized companies with certain ties to Iran & report annually to the ORSC would result in a more prudent, palatable & improved piece of legislation. ORSC staff has proposed this suggestion as an amendment to the bill. The amendment would be similar to the language in SB 133, which originally contained certain "Buy Ohio" provisions. A complete analysis of the Sub HB 151 is on the ORSC web-site. Please check www.ORSC.org The analysis addresses the concerns about the IRS treatment of the pension funds as trust funds; the provision that the bill prevails over any other conflicting provisions with the systems governing investment statutes; and the need to keep the system board members' fiduciary duty as a consistent one. Glenn Kacic does a great job with the analysis. The House FIRES (Financial Institutions, Real Estate & Securities) committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow @ 11:00 am in Room 116 of the Statehouse. The Sub HB 151 is on the agenda. An amendment as noted above may be introduced. Ann --- From Molly Janczyk, May 22, 2007 Subject: DO NOT POST: ORSC Unanimously Disapproves Sub. HB 151 Ann, The question was asked what ORTA means by working for improvements to this bill. Can you explain what that means? We thought we just wanted it defeated. Thank you. Molly J. Subject: Fwd: ORSC Unanimously Disapproves Sub. HB 151 Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 13:44:47 EDT --- From: ORTA, May 22, 2007 Subject: ORSC Unanimously Disapproves Sub. HB 151 Headlines... ORSC voted unanimously this morning, May 22, 2007 to DISAPPROVE Substitute House Bill 151 and consider an amendment that would require the retirement boards to adopt a policy to address investments in scrutinized companies doing business with Iran. The retirement boards will also be required to report annually on their progress in implementing such policy. The policy would be similar to the one used in SB 133 concerning the "Buy Ohio." An analysis of the substitute bill will be posted as soon as possible. The FIRES committee will meet on Thursday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. ORTA has been working tirelessly for improvements to this bill. Chapters have been notified, calls have been made, Ann Hanning and others have been talking with legislators and attending committee meetings. ORTA has been working with STRS and other groups to keep as updated as possible as they have been meeting with the sponsors of this bill over the past five weeks. ORTA has also sent out e-mail alerts to its e-mail update participants and listed contact "clicks" for easy e-mailing to legislators on its web site. Rep. Schneider and Rep. Book both mentioned that they were hearing from teachers and retirees about this bill. Rep. Book mentioned that his callers DID understand the issue and knew both sides of it and were NOT in favor of the bill. Sponsors Rep. Jones and Rep. Mandel both spoke at the ORSC meeting this morning. Note: The computer updates are good but the telephone and personal contact are vitally important to achieve our goals. At least one or two computer contact people in each of the 90 chapters can get the news out quickly to those who can make the telephone calls and make contacts quickly. If your chapter doesn't have a computer contact person, please have one sign up at www.orta.org so that we can better serve you.

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CORE held its May 17,2007, meeting in the cafeteria room behind the Sublett Room at the STRS Building. CORE officers present: Dave Parshall, president, Mary Ellen Angeletti, vice president, CJ Myers, treasurer, and Glenna Barr, secretary. Trustees present: Betty Bell. Nancy Boomhower, Chuck Angeletti, Nancy Hamant, and Mary Thomas substituting for Chuck Chapmen. Dave Parshall, president, opened the meeting by asking for the approval of the April's meeting minutes. Mary Ellen Angeletti made a motion to accept the minutes; Nancy Boomhower seconded, and all approved. CJ Myers gave the treasurer's report. Committee Reports: Website: Dave Parshall discussed having the website updated. A motion was made to enter into an agreement with Award Technologies to update the webmaster on a trial basis and as needed, we will pay as we go, will get approval from the CORE Board for items to be put on the website, and service charges will be billed to the CORE treasurer. Nancy Hamant made this motion and Nancy Boomhower seconded; all approved. Old Business: A. Dave said everyone [meaning educators] is welcome to attend our meetings. B. Dave gave a report on the ORTA State House Day held on April 24,2007. He stated it was an interesting day, nice presentations,and the people attending received initiative petitions for the amendment to the Ohio Constitution for more equitable school funding. He stated many ORTA members attended but very few attend the STRS Board meetings. C. Dave read a letter from Marc Dann, Ohio Attorney General, regarding the practice of holding secret ballots. He stated that the STRS Board must vote as a body at their meetings and that they have been in violation of open meeting laws. Mr. Dann will share our concerns with the STRS Board. Dave sent a copy of the letter to Dennis Leone. He will also send a letter to Mr. Dann requesting that he find someone to replace John Patterson, legal counsel to the STRS Board as a representative of the State Attorney General's office. D. Mary Ellen Angeletti gave an update on John Lazarus, who is still recovering from complications of knee replacement surgery. He wanted to relay to all of the CORE members his thanks for the planter, good wishes and cards during his recent illness and surgery. New Business: HB bill 151, divestiture of Pension funds from investing in terrorist countries, and HB 152, mandating all school boards to offer separate and alternative retirement plans. Both of these bills are detrimental to STRS funding. CORE opposes both bills. Mary Ellen Angeletti proposed we send out as a CORE Alert the letter Dave wrote voicing opposition to the the bills and urging CORE members to write to their legislators. A discussion was held on the morning's health care discussion at the STRS board meeting, the encouragement of members to attend the STRS meeting during the winter months, since many of the regular attendees travel south on vacation during the winter, and the salary increase of the STRS investment staff. The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be June 14, 2007. Submitted by Glenna Barr, secretary. generic viagra online generic cialis cheap viagra viagra

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From Rep. Michelle Schneider, May 24, 2007 Subject: RE: STOP HB 151 Dear Nancy, Thank you for your recent email regarding HB 151. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns on this matter. I want you to know that I am working on this bill very closely with Representative Jones. I am opposed to funding terrorism and am working to make this bill better. Again, thank you for writing with regards to this matter as I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind. If I can be of any further assistance please contact my office at (614) 644-6023, 77 South High Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or district35@ohr.state.oh.us. Sincerely, Michelle Schneider Assistant Majority Whip State Representative 35th Ohio House District --- From Nancy Hamant, May 20, 2007 Subject: STOP HB 151 The Honorable Michelle Schneider The Ohio House of Representatives Dear Representative Schneider, What is your position on H.B. 151? As a retired member of STRS, I am extremely concerned that the passage of this bill would severely damage our pension system for reasons I will list below. Please do everything you can to keep this bill from passing. Over 100,000 of retirees will be badly impacted, financially, if it goes through. The unfunded liability of the STRS pension fund would be almost doubled. H.B. 151, though well-intended, would wreak havoc with the STRS pension fund and the lives of all retired Ohio teachers, especially our most elderly. Thank you, respectfully, Nancy B. Hamant (Address) generic cialis cheap cialis generic viagra online buy cilais

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"In the wake of media reports last year about questionable spending on travel by pension board members, the legislation prevents the re-election or appointment of anyone who spent an average of $10,000 annually from 2000 through 2002 on board-paid travel. "At the State Teachers Retirement System, that means board member Deborah Scott will be prevented from running for re-election. It also means current board chairman Eugene Norris, who was defeated recently in his re-election bid, cannot be appointed to a seat being vacated by Jack Chapman when he retires this summer." Ohio House approves pension reform bill Canton Repository, May 26, 2004 By PAUL E. KOSTYU Copley Columbus Bureau chief COLUMBUS cheap viagra viagra cheap cialis generic cialis

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