2/24/26 update: The following is a press release from Massachusetts Community College Council (MCCC) Organizing Committee:
MTA credits member advocacy for halting health cuts
Union cancels rallies but will continue to fight for GLP-1 coverage
In response to Gov. Maura Healey’s decision to no longer seek drastic spikes in most of the out-of-pocket health care costs for public employees, the Massachusetts Teachers Association is canceling two rallies that had been scheduled for Tuesday in Boston and Springfield. The union, however, is urging the state to continue coverage of GLP-1 medications for weight management, which is set to end.
The governor withdrew her call to shift more costs to workers who are covered by the Group Insurance Commission, which offers health care coverage used by roughly 460,000 state and municipal employees, retirees and their families. The GIC was considering changes to insurance plans that would have resulted in higher copays and deductibles for working families, who already will be paying for their portion of annual premium increases.
The GIC is poised to act Thursday on a recommendation that plans for public employees no longer cover GLP-1 medications, when solely used for weight loss.
MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy issued the following statement:
“Stopping the harmful increases in the copays and deductibles that public sector workers would have had to sustain under health care cost shifts proposed by the governor is a huge victory. Thousands of MTA members were among those sending messages to the governor, GIC commission and state legislators urging them not to balance the state budget on the backs of workers. We appreciate the governor’s willingness to listen to those affected by her decisions and to reconsider proposals, like this one, that would have had a negative impact on so many families.
“Had these cost shifts been adopted, it is likely that every municipal employee would have felt the impact since cities and towns that do not belong to the GIC use the commission as a benchmark for setting their own insurance plan costs.
MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy
“Health care in this country is broken, but asking public employees to pay more is not the solution. Instead, workers and policymakers need to work together to come up with solutions to address the health care affordability crisis – starting with reining in pharmaceutical companies and other health care providers who are raking in record profits from our members and the Commonwealth. In that light, MTA members will continue to fight for affordable access to GLP-1 medications that have been life changing for so many people.”
Thanks to your advocacy, the GIC Commission postponed their vote to increase our health insurance costs! We’re not out of the woods yet – we still need to win the NO vote (not scheduled yet). Here are a few ways you can help fight these proposed cuts:
1. Keep the pressure on Governor Healey
Call Governor Maura Healey at (617) 725-4005. Here’s an example script:
Hello, my name is (your name) and I live in (city/town),
I work at (name of employer) and receive my health insurance through the Group Insurance Commission, and I’m calling to urge Governor Healey to reconsider shifting additional out of pocket health care costs onto me and other public employees.
If Governor Healey shifts these costs it will be more difficult for me and other public employee families to afford our health care. In today’s economy, my family cannot afford this proposed increase to our healthcare costs. I’m asking the governor not to balance the state budget on the backs of hardworking public-sector employees like me. Thank you.
2. Contact your legislators
On the eve of last week’s vote, many legislators signed letters to the Governor opposing the proposed changes. However, signatures from those legislators listed here were missing. If your representatives did not sign, get in touch and ask them to oppose increasing costs for GIC members. You can find your legislators and their contact info here.
3. Attend the Stand Out to Save Our Health Care in Springfield
UPDATE: CANCELLED
Due to the immense pressure we all applied to Governor Healey and the GIC, Healey withdrew her call to shift these costs onto the more than 460,000 state and municipal employees, retirees, and their families. MTA has cancelled the two standouts planned for Tuesday, February 24 in Boston and Springfield. However, the fight to maintain GLP-1 coverage continues! Stay tuned to learn how you can continue to apply pressure!
