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Bill Lets NYCOTB Retirees Keep Health Ins., Benefits
State To Provide Supplemental Aid
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the Senate’s Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, commended the Senate for bringing to the floor a vote on requiring the state to maintain the health insurance and supplemental benefits received by retirees of the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation (NYCOTB). The bill (S.4489/Rules) notes that after the closure of NYCOTB on Dec. 7, 2010, employees who had retired from the corporation were assured they and their dependents would receive health insurance and supplemental benefit coverage under their collective bargaining representative’s welfare benefit program. However, those benefits ceased upon closure of NYCOTB. Addabbo stated that the state would be potentially breaking a promise to supply benefits to retired NYCOTB employees and their dependents if this bill is not passed. “With the Senate’s commitment to provide health insurance and supplemental benefits to retirees of NYC OTB, the state is reaffirming its commitment to provide due benefits and recognition to former workers and families of NYCOTB. No one should have to endure financial hardships and choose which benefits to leave behind,” said Addabbo. Former employees received supplemental benefits such as prescription drugs, optical and dental insurance through welfare fund benefit plans funded through employer contributions. Upon these benefits ceasing to exist with the closure of OTB, retirees were left to determine which prior benefits they could attain without employer contributions. Addabbo observed that it was illogical how benefits ceased to exist with plans in place to continue fundof ing of benefits for retirees. “This bill is long overdue, and I am proud to stand with my Senate colleagues to provide for all present and future retirees the entitlement of benefits from any city-authorized health insurance or welfare benefit program,” he explained. Under the proposed measure, the State will reimburse the city or its designee for the actual cost of benefits.
Readers Comments
New York City retirees ought
Submitted by ghostwriter (not verified) on Sat, 2011-09-03 23:13.
New York City retirees ought to establish a fund to cover the cost of mailing NYC OTB Health Legislation to Governor Cuomo----
apparently, Dc37 Local 2021 and Teamsters Local 858, the culprits in the missing Health Bill Caper, are hesitant to pay the cost of postage to send the bill to Governor Cuomo. Contributing to the OTB Health Insurance Fund will guarantee that Governor Cuomo receives the Legislation, in time for the December Holiday recess.
It is gratifying to know that
Submitted by Frank Marzegliano (not verified) on Wed, 2011-08-17 13:58.
It is gratifying to know that Mr. Addabbo is in the corner of New York City OTB retirees, but it is Wednesday, 8/17/2011, and the OTB Health Bill remains unsigned by Governor Cuomo. Every day the OTB Health Bill lingers, is a day that NYC OTBC retirees live in fear and sickness, without health insurance, (which they cannot afford because the "COBRA" monthly insurance premium exceeds the monthly pension income of most OTB retirees). The time for inaction has long past. I understand the OTB Health Bill was delivered to the Governor on Friday (8/5/2011). Why was the bill not sent to the Governor sooner? The Governor exerted continuous effort to advance the "Same Sex Marriage Act." The ( OTB Health Bill ) affects the health and safety of NYC OTBC retirees and their dependents. The Governor should be equally committed to seeing that the State of New York, honor, its promise to pay the health insurance costs of NYC OTBC retirees. I am quite certain , New York State, cannot afford to be indelibly branded a welsher, by Standard and Poor's (S&P).
An old dead Copporation, the
Submitted by Robert Benchley (not verified) on Sun, 2011-08-14 15:10.
An old dead Copporation, the New York City OTBC, nothing more than a 40 year idea gone awry, can be seen in spirit, hoovering above the New York State Capital, in Albany New York. A specter, searching fot its final-resting-place, in peace and justice, the New York City OTBC's spirit beckons to justice. Waiting for justice to answer, OTB's-spirit, flounders aimlessly, hoping to witness justice for NYC OTB retirees--who, have had to perform virtual reconnoitre-missions, to obtain information, regarding the status of health bill: A-5785/S-4489, which is so vital to the health and security of retiress and their deppendents. The legal steps, required to pass the health bill, have marched on for more than seven months, and the charade continues in the political-arena, until today.
New York City OTB, was transferred, to New York State dominion in 2008, and since that time, New York State, was the sole steward of the NYC OTBC. When the Senate, in its profound fallability, refused to sign the NYC OTBC Restructuring Bill, The New York City OTBC, vanished from the face of the earth--like a puff of smoke; and, so did the promised NYC OTBC retirees health benefits--which the State of New York promised to pay, for the OTB retirees--come hell or high water.
The moral, of the story, is as follows: Governor, Cuomo, ensure that the State of New York honor its promise to NYC OTB retirees, by signing into law A-5785/S-4489 (sign the bill Governor Cuomo, for goodness sake!!).
I will pray that the Governor
Submitted by Elaine Hill (not verified) on Fri, 2011-07-29 19:22.
I will pray that the Governor signs the bill, and hopefully we can remove this cloud from over our heads, that we have carried for well over six months. I thank you for all that you have done and are doing in trying to move this bill through. May God Bless you in your endeavors in the New York State Senate, looking out for the people's interest.
Thank you!
THANK YOU AS MY OTB FAMILY IS
Submitted by C. ROJAS (not verified) on Fri, 2011-07-29 22:10.
THANK YOU AS MY OTB FAMILY IS DYING AT A SCARY RATE. ALL I CAN THINK OF IS THEIR FEAR AND THE INJUSTICE UPON THEM. ALSO THIS CAN BE YOU - AMEND YOUR BROKEN PROMISES THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE! AGAIN DO THE RiGHT THING HERE AND THANK YOU - ALL.
THANKK YOU SENATOR ADDABBO
Submitted by SONDRA KRAPES (not verified) on Fri, 2011-07-29 18:24.
THANKK YOU SENATOR ADDABBO FOR ALL YOUR KIND SUPPORT, AS A SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON A SMALL PENSION I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PAY FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PLAN. AFTER HAVING WORKED FOR OTB FOR 25 YEARS I THOUGHT THIS WOULD NEVER COME TO BE, I HOPE THE GOVENOR FINDS IT IN HIS HEART TO SIGN OUR BILL AND GIVE US BACK THE BENEFITS THAT WE HAVE ALL WORK SO MANY YEARS FOR TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND IN OUR GOLDEN YEARS.
As one of Senator Addabbo's
Submitted by Michael Mellon (not verified) on Fri, 2011-07-29 13:12.
As one of Senator Addabbo's constituents, and from and family of two retired NYC OTB workers with a combined 45 years of service, our appreciation for the Senator's support can not be expressed in words. This has been a living nightmare for 900 families stripped of their hard earned health benefits. We collectively are praying that Governor Cuomo signs the bill and restores the dignity to these deserving NYS taxpaying citizens. Thank You, Michael Mellon, Howard Beach, Queens
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