With some reservations and a great deal of hope, I voted for the new NYCE PPO. The new city health plan includes several significant improvements over the GHI CBP plan it replaces. Most important for our pre-Medicare eligible members living outside New York, NYCE PPO offers a national network of doctors and hospitals.

In July, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced a plan to import the worst part of Medicare Advantage — prior authorizations — into traditional Medicare. Prior authorization requirements will be established for certain traditional fee-for-service Medicare services in six states starting in January 2026. 


Our country now feels like a dangerous and scary place. And yet, I don’t despair. I’m encouraged to see UFT members taking to the streets and uniting in protest with our fellow union members on a grand scale.

This year, 2025, is an election year for both our city and our union. Retired Teachers Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer encourages retirees to education themselves about all the candidates and then get out and vote.

We have a lot to be happy with regarding the state of the RTC chapter. We have debates of retiree issues and an enhanced voting process. But I am concerned that Zoom is hurting the quality of our union engagement.

UFT retirees will support our school-related professionals now more than ever. How can we do that? By keeping our union strong.