he high premiums on retirees' health coverage are accounted for, in large part, by the high cost of semi-private coverage, which adds some $40 per month to the premium for "family" coverage.THE RETIREES' NEWSLETTER
The Faculty and Librarian Retirees' Association, University of Windsor
Number 7, Apr/May, 1994
SEMI-PRIVATE COVERAGE THE VILLAIN IN HIGH PREMIUMS FOR HEALTH CARE
he high premiums on retirees' health coverage are accounted for, in large part, by the high cost of semi-private coverage, which adds some $40 per month to the premium for "family" coverage.
This point was made by Jim Skinner, to the meeting of the Association March 24th. Mr. Skinner emphasized that he was only pointing this out, not implying that it required any action by the Association.
evertheless, some lively debate following Skinner's departure from the meeting. Some questioned
whether, with shorter hospital stays becoming the rule, members could really expect to get value from
the current premiums. Others recalled that "the wards" are anything but conducive to quick recovery
and that the extra premium to avoid them is worth it.
It was pointed out that any change in the coverage would have to have full support of those involved: it is not a case of some choosing one and some the other. The Chairman ruled that the matter would have to be "further looked into".
ASSOCIATION FACTS...
As of April, 1994, there were some 100 persons eligible for membership in the Association. Paid-up membership had climbed to 72. The Bank account was $1450.
The Association's address is: Faculty and Librarian Retirees' Association, University Post Office, U of W., 401
Sunset Avenue, Windsor, N9B 3P4. Home phone numbers are: Pres. (Shklov): 966-3415; Sec Treas (Phillips):
972-0588.
MEETING APPROVES DONATION TO UNIVERSITY'S BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM
he Association, at its March 24th meeting, approved a donation to the University of "up to $150" to cover
the cost of framing a campus scene painted by a University art student under a program commissioned
by President Ianni.
David Booth showed to the meeting two pictures from the program. After some discussion on the matter of the cost, the meeting approved the donation to cover one framing, both as a worthy objective in itself and as a "symbolic gesture" toward the University.
Booth explained that the painting, showing part of Dillon Hall, ties in with the current far-reaching program to enhance the beauty of the campus. The Association will have input into the decision on where the picture will be placed.
(For background, see David Booth's letter in Feb/Mar '94 issue of THE NEWSLETTER. We will carry follow-up
details in the next issue).
LETTER TO FINANCE MINISTER PROTESTS TAX MOVE
n keeping with a motion by Cormac Smith, which was approved at the Assn's March 24th meeting, a
letter has been sent by the Association President, Norm Shklov, to Canada's Mininster of Finance.
It protests the government's stated intention of imposing a graduated reduction in the age tax credit in personal income tax. It criticizes the move as discriminatory insofar as "it would act
(continued; see page 4, LETTER)
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