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Council Member Christopher Marte introduces legislation to protect healthcare rights of retired municipal employees

0:55:17

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98 sec

Council Member Christopher Marte introduces Intro 1096, legislation aimed at protecting the healthcare rights of retired municipal employees in New York City. He argues against the city's attempt to move retirees from their current Medicare benefits to a Medicare Advantage Plan, emphasizing the importance of upholding promises made to those who served the city.

Marte highlights the essential nature of healthcare for retirees, particularly those with serious health conditions.
He frames the issue as a matter of principle, justice, and keeping promises made to city workers.
The council member calls for solidarity among his colleagues to pass this legislation and protect retirees' healthcare benefits.

Christopher Marte

0:55:17

Good afternoon, colleagues.

0:55:18

Today, I'm introducing legislation that is not just a matter of policy.

0:55:22

It's a matter of principle and justice.

0:55:25

Intro 1096 seeks to protect the healthcare right of our retired municipal employees individuals who dedicated decades of their lives to serving the people of New York City.

0:55:35

From teachers to sanitation workers, from police officers to firefighters, they built this city, and they deserve to retire with dignity and the promise of reliable health care.

0:55:46

For many of these retirees, healthcare is not a luxury.

0:55:49

It is essential.

0:55:50

We are talking about people who depend on their doctors and specialists for lifesaving treatments, individuals battling cancer, and others managing chronic conditions.

0:56:00

Yet the city is trying to push to strip them from their current Medicare benefits and force them into a Medicare Advantage Plan that threatens to restrict their access to care.

0:56:11

This is unacceptable.

0:56:12

The city made a promise a promise that after years of service, they will have a health care that they can rely on.

0:56:19

But today, that promise is under threat.

0:56:22

We cannot and will now allow them to be forced into a system that puts hurdle between them and their health.

0:56:29

This is about more this is more than just dollars and cents.

0:56:33

It's about common sense and compassion.

0:56:35

These retirees earn their benefits.

0:56:37

They deserve to keep them.

0:56:39

I asked my colleagues to stand with me today in solidarity.

0:56:42

With these retirees to keep the promise that was made to them and to pass this legislation so that no one will serve our city has to sacrifice their health care in their time of need.

0:56:53

We owe this to them and nothing less.

0:56:55

Thank you.

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