Retain drug benefit

Governor Hutchinson, I am sure you are aware of recent activities by the Arkansas Employee Benefits Division’s State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board regarding elimination of prescription drug coverage for state retirees. In 2019, we were informed by the board that, if a 5% increase in our premiums were implemented, there would be no change in our insurance and prescription drug coverage. Now it seems the board has done an aboutface and stated that it will remove retirees’ prescription coverage effective Jan. 1, 2021. With this proposed change, we will continue to pay the current premium, which includes prescription drug coverage even though it has been eliminated. I was recently contacted by a fellow retiree who was very upset because the drug she is taking for cancer treatment will not be covered by any Medicare Part D plan. She stated she will not be able to purchase this lifesaving drug because of its cost. I am sure she is not alone. As retirees, we cannot afford to have our prescription drug coverage removed from our health plan.

We need your help in delaying implementation of this policy change until such time that all parties can come to a mutually agreeable solution. It is our recommendation that the Arkansas State Employees Association be instrumental in working with the State and Public School Health and Life Insurance Board to reach such a solution. LEX DOBBINS Bryant