On January 9, 2019, the 90 Day Maryland General Assembly convened in Annapolis. On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, the Maryland Troopers Association, in partnership with the Maryland State Police Alumni Association, will host a Legislative Reception in the Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen Street, West #1 & #2, in Annapolis. All MTA members are invited and encouraged to attend this reception. The MTA has invited the Governor Hogan, Lieutenant Governor Rutherford, every elected Maryland Legislative Delegate and Senator, Superintendent Pallozzi, and the MSP Bureau Chiefs and Command Staff. The Board of Directors monthly Board meeting will be held from 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. and the reception will follow.
This reception is your opportunity to speak directly with your elected officials and to discuss issues involving the MTA and you. As you know, Medicare eligible retirees were set to be removed from the State subsidized prescription program beginning January 2019. However, pending law suits placed the implementation of this on hold, FOR NOW. It is believed that the Governor, along with the House and Senate Leadership, are eager to tackle this issue and “fix” the 2011 law. What that “fix” is is unknown at this time. It is critical that your Legislative Body hear directly from you on any pending or future legislation regarding Medicare Part D.
As our Attorney, Byron Warnken, noted in the 2018 Winter Trooper magazine, no matter your age or whether you are retired, sworn or civilian—this issue impacts you! First, if the State is legally allowed to strip away prescription drugs from those 65 and over, the State is arguably legally allowed to strip away health benefits for all retirees. Yes, all health benefits for retirees of all ages are potentially at risk.
In 2018, the MTA listserve was active with several discussions on how to address this issue. Some members were critical of the MTA for not informing the membership of this issue in a timely fashion, often asking, “Where was the MTA when the law was passed in 2011.” The time for criticism is past. Now is the time for the MTA Membership to join with the MTA Board of Directors, the MSP Alumni Association and other Police Fraternal organizations in lobbying for corrective action to benefit all current and future members of these organizations.
Please take this opportunity to join us for dinner, socializing and lobbying!