[Publib] A call for ALA - Health Insurance

[Michael Golrick]

Hi Su-
 
I've been on the ALA Membership Committee, ALA Council and Exec Board,
and am back on both Council and Membership. This has been an issue for
the Membership Committee.
 
The basic problem is this: health insurance is regulated by the states.
This makes it impossible for a national organization to offer health
insurance. In addition, in many states (Connecticut included) those
regulations do not allow employees from multiple employers to be in the
same group.
 
Here is part of how I know that latter. From 1995 - 2000 I ran the
Southern Connecticut Library Council in Hamden. It was one of four
similar organizations in the state, and three of the four of us did not
have an automation network. We three, plus an automation network which
had previously been part of one of the organizations were in a
grandfathered group for health insurance since most of us had only one
or two staff who wanted the insurance. One year (I don't remember which)
the carrier wanted to raise the rates dramatically. For a full month, I
spent over half of my working time dealing with the various
possibilities and issues related to health insurance. It was both
enlightening and a royal pain in the posterior.
 
Since then, ALA has talked about it a couple of times. For the most
current information I would recommend contacting John Chrastka who is
ALA's Membership "guru." (He is getting a copy of this note, and if he
can't post on the list and sends it to me, I will post it.)
 
That is what the issue is. ALA Council has taken a position supporting
national health insurance. That is the only thing (IMNSHO) which will
solve this issue.
 
Hope I helped! And, just because it did not work the last time does not
mean that ALA thinks it is a dead issue, background work continues on
this problem.
 
Michael
 
 
 
Michael Golrick

ALA Councilor-at-Large
http://michaelgolrick.blogspot.com (
http://michaelgolrick.blogspot.com/ )
 
L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
400 Eau Claire Street
Eau Claire WI 54701
715/839.5001
 
http://www.ecpubliclibrary.info ( http://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/ )
 ( mailto:michaelg at eauclaire.lib.wi.us ) 

>>> "Su Epstein" <sepstein at columbiactlibrary.org> 3/31/2008 1:12 PM
>>>

For those active in ALA and those seeking election, I’d like to put
forth the request that the ALA expand its offerings of insurance  to
include a group health care plan.  (Not disability, not long term, but
regular old, every day medical insurance.)
 
Thanks,
Su
 
Su Epstein, Ph.D.
Library Director
Saxton B. Little Free Library
Columbia, CT 06237
 
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