Dropping the Floor at Least Delayed

As we noted in prior posts, back in July, there was suddenly placed on the Regents agenda a proposal to drop the 70% floor on the university contribution to retiree health. There had been no prior consultation with the Senate and after a fuss, the proposal was removed. It was then said to be postponed to September and then November.

It remains to be seen what might or might not be on the November Regents agenda. But the following email was recently received from John Swartzberg, Clinical Professor Emeritus at UC-Berkeley, School of Public Health:

From: John SWARTZBERG
Date: October 6, 2017 at 2:53:47 PM PDT
Subject: UCOP proposal for Regents’ action to remove the 70% floor for health insurance support

Colleagues,
The pendulum seems to be swinging in favor of a thoughtful and reasoned approach to the University's support for our health insurance.  President Napolitano met with the Academic Council on September 27, 2017.  She announced her intention to apply a 4% increase in the retiree health budget so as to largely maintain the status quo through the coming year.  Further, she will assemble a working group in early 2018 to make recommendations germane to any future Regents’ decisions on retiree health. 

It is apparent that the efforts of many here at UC Berkeley and our colleagues at the other campuses have had an effect.  

I will keep you appraised as I learn more about this very important topic.

All the best,
John