In the News: Denny Salas

NY Daily News: Reps. Malliotakis, Torres introduce bipartisan bill blocking Mayor Adams’ Medicare Advantage switch for NYC retirees (Exclusive)
A bipartisan legislative push is afoot on Capitol Hill to prohibit all U.S. employers from forcing their retired workers into Medicare Advantage coverage — a proposal that could spell trouble for Mayor Adams, who’s trying to mandate the privatized health insurance program for New York City’s 250,000 municipal retirees.

Bronx Times: Torres announces new legislation aimed at protecting seniors’ access to Medicare
U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres on Thursday joined local health care advocates — as well as senior citizens and public sector retirees — to announce he will be introducing new legislation aimed at protecting the rights of seniors to access traditional Medicare coverage.

U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres Announces New Legislation Aimed at Protecting Rights of Seniors to Access Traditional Medicare Coverage
BRONX, N.Y. – U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) today joined local healthcare advocates and affected seniors and public sector retirees to announce he will be introducing new legislation – the “Right to Medicare Act” – aimed at protecting the rights of seniors to access traditional Medicare coverage.

NY Daily News: NYC’s largest municipal union urges workers to confront Council members who oppose Medicare Advantage push
New York City’s largest municipal union is text-blasting its members urging them to bombard Council members with critical phone calls if they support a bill that would guarantee traditional Medicare coverage for retired municipal employees, the Daily News has learned.

NY Daily News: The City Council owes retirees Medicare choice: Let people pick if they want to switch to Medicare Advantage
Historically, New York’s City Council has set nationwide precedents by adopting historic and landmark legislation dealing with such vital issues as campaign finance, anti-apartheid, human and worker rights, and women and senior citizen protection laws. It once again has the opportunity to protect the health and well-being of more than 250,000 retired city public servants.

amNewYork: Op-ed | Mayor needs to reverse decision that shifts retiree health coverage for municipal employees to a Medicare Advantage plan
New York City was built on the shoulders of hardworking individuals who dedicated their lives to making this city great. Among them are our municipal retirees. Their years of service earned them a promised Medicare plan to meet healthcare needs in their golden years.

AARP NY Applauds Court Ruling Blocking Cuts to NYC Retirees’ Health Benefits Days Before Crucial Deadline
AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today in response to a New York City Judge's decision to temporarily block the City’s initiative to change the health care plans available to NYC retirees while the case is pending in court:

Comptroller Lander Declines to Register Medicare Advantage Contract Pending Litigation
New York, NY – The Comptroller’s Office declined to register the City’s contract with Aetna to transfer City retirees to a Medicare Advantage program for their health care coverage. A pending lawsuit, brought on behalf of retirees, questions the City’s authority to enter into such an agreement.