* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Investigative Hearing - Prescription Drug Coverage Cuts
For the purpose of requesting that the Department of Finance, Health Department, the Bureau of the Budget and Management Research, the Employees’ Retirement System, the Fire & Police Employees’ Retirement System, and the Office of The Comptroller brief the City Council on the scheduled 2020 termination of prescription drug coverage for all Baltimore City employee retirees.
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Recitals
In 2014, the Baltimore City Department of Finance and Bureau of Budget Management wrote
into the Baltimore City budget that prescription drug benefits for Medicare-eligible City retirees will sunset in 2020. This raises questions and concerns for retirees and current City employees alike.
The Fiscal 2015 Preliminary Budget Plan states that the sunset will occur at the same time as
federal prescription drug coverage becomes available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The budget plan mentions no alternative options if the ACA is no longer operational in 2020. It is unclear how these changes will both aid the City budget and avoid placing an additional fiscal burden on retirees by raising overall Medicare costs if no federal coverage is available.
Some retirees are also concerned with the lack of communication from the City. While the City did send around letters to retirees in 2014 notifying them ...
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