[Publib] A call for ALA - Health Insurance

[Su Epstein]

Thanks Michael,

 

This is very interesting information.   It sounds like this is a good issue
to raise with local state government.

 

If there are CT librarians out there who would like to join me in
investigating this quest, please write me off list.

 

Su

 

Su Epstein, Ph.D.

Library Director

Saxton B. Little Free Library

Columbia, CT 06237

  _____  

From: Michael Golrick [mailto:michaelg at eauclaire.lib.wi.us] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:21 PM
To: Su Epstein; publib at webjunction.org
Cc: jchrastka at ala.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] A call for ALA - Health Insurance

 

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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