Dear brothers and sisters,

As you may have read in the newspaper or on social media, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Fallon Health, have been dropped by the state Group Insurance Commission (GIC). If you had your health insurance through these companies you will need to choose new insurance coverage by July 1. Your options, for the next three to five years, will be: Unicare, a for-profit, Indiana-based company; Neighborhood Health Plan, which is owned by Partners HealthCare; and the Springfield-based HMO, Health New England.

The GIC will be holding a series of public hearings over the next two weeks to collect feedback in advance of their official decision.  A lot of other state employee unions plan on showing up to these hearings to voice their displeasure in the changes―and we are no exception. We strongly recommend that our members attend a meeting close to them if they are able and not working. If you plan to attend a hearing, please RSVP by e-mailing the GIC at gic.events@massmail.state.ma.us.

If you are unable to attend a hearing in person, below are three ways you can make your voice heard.

1. Call the GIC at 617-727-2310 or submit comments at https://www.mass.gov/forms/contact-the-gic.
2. Post your concerns to the GIC’s following social media pages:
   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Group-Insurance-Commision/540234876117877
   • Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGIC
3. You can also send a message to your state representative urging them to support a greater voice for employees on the Group Insurance Commission. The House of Representatives will be taking up healthcare reform legislation early this year and will consider a proposal to add two additional labor seats to the GIC. Click here to send a message to your state rep. asking them to support this proposal by reaching out to Chairman Peter Kocot of the Healthcare Finance Committee, and asking him to include this important provision in the House healthcare bill.

Contact the union hall with any questions at info@carmensunion589.org or (617) 542-8212.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
Boston Carmen’s Union, Local 589