CHAPTER 2065 NEWSLETTER - Virginia Federation of Chapters
Transcription
CHAPTER 2065 NEWSLETTER - Virginia Federation of Chapters
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES CHAPTER 2065 NEWSLETTER POST OFFICE BOX 1811 LOUISA, VIRGINIA 23093-1811 Contact: [email protected] VOLUME XXVIII, NUMBER 12 – DECEMBER 2014 ELECTED OFFICERS PRESIDENT 1ST V.P. /PROGRAM 2ND V.P./MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY TREASURER PAST PRESIDENT Kate Killham Dick Shrum Rachel Hollins Marilyn Root Rolfe Saben Ray Siewert 540-907-2353 540-872-5409 540-872-2870 540-872-7004 540-894-9448 540-967-1544 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] CALENDAR December 18, Holiday Party at Prospect Hill – including a “silent auction”, collection of canned foods, and the “magical accordion” of Judy O’Keefe. January 15, Chapter meeting -- 11:30a.m., Roma’s Restaurant – Program: speaker Patrick Siewert on cybersecurity threats and risks, and what to do about them. 1 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE research and non-perishable food for the food bank. Happy Holidays to each of you. Good health in the New Year. ‘Tis the end of the year. Where did it go? With Thanksgiving over, it’s time to decorate for Christmas, attend all the end-of-year parties, bake holiday goodies, and try to resist eating them. It’s also time for the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Open Season. You have until December 8 to take advantage of Open Season, including changes to your flexible spending account. Premium increases were, on average, modest at 3.8% for health premiums, 1.7% for dental, and 1.5% for vision. However, these increases did exceed the 1.7% raise slated for annuitants in January. Because individual circumstances differ, Walton Francis, chief author of Checkbook’s annual “Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees & Annuitants,” says, “There is no best plan for everyone...There are lots of good plans.” Checkbook estimates about half the people in FEHB could save about $2,000 a year in lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs. However, many are satisfied with their current plan, so don’t even think about reviewing alternate plans that might result in lower premiums. “Almost everybody is going to benefit this year, almost no matter what plan they’re in, from continued improvements by OPM in the catastrophic benefits of these plans,” he said. Other improvements include prescription drug coverage, out-of-pocket spending limits, preventive care and Medicare coordination. While there are understandable complaints about FEHB premiums increasing faster than federal employee pay, Francis said federal employee health insurance coverage is “outperforming the Fortune 500 companies in keeping premiums down, and it’s not doing so with benefit cutbacks. I’ve seen very few benefit reductions or substantial cost-sharing increases in these plans this year.” Be sure to join us at Prospect Hill for the Holiday Party. We had a delicious meal last year with excellent Holiday entertainment, and the tradition continues this year. Don’t forget your contributions for the Silent Auction to raise funds for Alzheimer’s KATE KILLHAM, PRESIDENT SECRETARY’S REPORT Louisa Chapter 2065 met at Roma's on Nov. 20, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. with 21 members present including Kate Killham presiding. Bob Juza led in the Lord's Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and the treasurer's report were accepted as printed in the newsletter. Gerald Root won the 50/50 drawing and returned his share to Alzheimers. Rachel Hollins gave a contribution in memory of her sister-in-law. Ray Siewert said since Republicans won control of both houses of Congress during the November election, the chained CPI may be passed to reduce costs. The government pays 70% of the cost of our health insurance; this may be taxed. Members were encouraged to use the legislative hotline at NARFE.org. Ray would like to be replaced as legislative chairman. Kate had a trifold pamphlet on state legislation. Jerry Robarge presented the slate of officers as Kate Killham president, Laurel Patterson secretary, and Mary Fisher vice president. There were no nominations from the floor. Bill Martin seconded the motion to accept the slate. He also introduced Lee Miller as the new newsletter editor. Officers will be installed at the December 18 meeting. Kate thanked Jerry and Ralph Mason for serving as the nominating committee. Members were reminded to bring nonperishable food for the Food Bank and items for the silent auction to the December meeting at 11:30 a.m. at Prospect Hill. The VFC Convention will be held in Fredericksburg in April. Bill has information on selling ads for the program booklet which can earn money for the chapter. Ray introduced Richard Mialki from the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. He spoke on energy conservation, answered many questions, and 2 distributed helpful pamphlets. The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m. criminal purposes. Hope to see you there! Programs for February and beyond are still being coordinated. MARILYN ROOT, SECRETARY. DICK SHRUM, PROGRAM CHAIR PROGRAM MEMBERSHIP Our November program was very informative and appeared to be timely for many of the attendees, including me. Our speaker, Richard Mialki Jr. of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, (REC), covered many of our home energy matters with a focus on how to conserve energy and reduce home expenses. If I can try to capture his message in a very short phrase, it would be “plug the leaks!!” in your home. He also offered comments on alternative forms of energy and answered many questions during and at the end of his presentation. In addition, he passed out an information package consisting of 9 brochures, discount coupons for energy-saving light bulbs, and a pack of gaskets to plug leaks in household electrical boxes. I will have a supply of these packages available for the taking at Prospect Hill later this month, in case you forgot to pick one up or were not able to attend. Also, Bill Martin circulated an email to chapter members on November 23 with an attached paper “Energy Efficiency at home – Where do I start?” containing further information and Internet links on the subject. Membership as of December is 100 voting and nonvoting members. This is bad news as the loss of one more member this year will adversely affect our voting power at the Virginia Federation of Chapters convention. Please remember that if you switch to Dues Withholding, our Chapter will refund $10 that first year. The recruiting incentive deadline has been extended through December 31, 2014. Recruiters will receive $10 for each new member recruited. Ensure the individual enters your Membership Number as Recruiter. In addition, for each member recruiter your name will be entered into a drawing for a Kindle Fire. You can get more information at NARFE.org with a link on their home page. NOTE: If we want our Chapter to grow, we must all consider ourselves Recruiters. . RACHEL HOLLINS, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR NATIONAL LEGISLATION REPORT The Lame Duck session is expected to end in midDecember, and with it, the 113th Congress (2013 – 2014). The new 114th Congress will begin on January 6, 2015. As we wrap-up 2014, this is what the NARFE Legislative Department is watching: Lame Duck • One of the top priorities for Congress is to pass an appropriations package. The current continuing resolution expires on December 11 and Congress has to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown. At this point, it appears that Congress will pass an omnibus package that will include spending through the end of the fiscal year, but negotiations continue. • Congress must also pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House passed its version in May, which included a 5-year extension of the ReEmployed Annuitants provision. o The legislation allows agencies to hire retirees on a limited, part-time basis without a reduction in their salary. o Final passage of the Re-Employed Annuitants extension will be a major victory for NARFE. As you all know, and are looking forward to, the December meeting will be the holiday party at Prospect Hill on the 18th. Details are available in past and current newsletters, so be sure to get your reservation in immediately if you haven’t done so yet. The January 15 meeting will be back at Roma’s, with a program focus on cybersecurity. Our speaker, Patrick Siewert, will cover the broad range of threats and risks to both home computers and our highly sophisticated “smart phones”. For example, have you heard the growing concern about those free “apps” we download to have a bright flashlight in our phone? The warning is that most of these come from other countries, and some of them are malicious and target our banking, credit card and other personal data for 3 o The Senate version is likely to include an extension as well, but the bill has not been scheduled for a vote yet. • It appears less likely that postal reform will be debated in the Senate during the Lame Duck. However, Senator Carper is still working towards a compromise on his legislation, S. 1486. o NARFE opposes the bill for a variety of reasons, all of which on their own is enough to oppose the larger bill. The action letter in the Legislative Action Center has been updated . Go to NARFE.org and the Legislative Action Center to send our Senators the action letter. Committee Leadership • With the new Congress, there will be new leadership of NARFE’s committees of jurisdiction. o House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will now be chaired by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (RUT). The ranking member will continue to be Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) o The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to be chaired by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI). Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) is expected to become the ranking member. However, Senate committee leaders will be picked later in December. o House committee membership is likely to be finalized in December, while the Senate will be decided in January. Current Pending Legislation • With the end of the 113th Congress, all legislation that has not passed both Houses of Congress and been signed by the President will expire. That means all of the legislation will have to be re-introduced and go through the legislative process in the next Congress. Legislative Accomplishments in the 113th Congress NARFE membership continues to decline. One reason for this is that members perceive that NARFE is not accomplishing anything. Here is a partial list of NARFE accomplishments for the 113th Congress: • Prevented any damaging alterations to current retirees’ annuities, including opposing the proposed switch to the Chained CPI. • Successfully opposed provisions in the Senate postal reform bill, including proposed changes to FEHBP, requirements that USPS retirees enroll in Medicare and changes to the FECA program. • The House of Representatives voted unanimously to provide back pay to federal employees furloughed during the October 2013 government shut-down. • NARFE worked to ensure that Capitol Hill staff maintained benefits in the Health Insurance Marketplace, including preserving their employer contribution, when a provision in the Affordable Care Act required that they leave FEHBP. • Additional NARFE Legislative Accomplishments are available online at NARFE.org. This document is being update to reflect the entire 113th Congress (20132014). RAY SIEW ERT, ACTING LEGISLATIVE OFFICER ALZHEIMER’S REPORT Alzheimer’s – A continuous battle It is estimated that the number of older Americans getting this disease will rise from 5.2 million in 2014 to 16 million in 2050. The costs resulting from this disease will rise from $150 Billion in 2014 up to $800 billion in 2050. (AARP Bulletin, Nov 2014) The November Alzheimer’s 50/50 raised $92. Jerry Root won the drawing and donated the winnings to our collection. George and Rachel Hollins donated $100 to our Alzheimer’s fund in memory of George’s sister, Virginia Hollins Fleshman. BILL PATTERSON, ALZHEIMER’S CHAIR TREASURER'S REPORT November 2014 Balance on hand – October 31 Total Receipts Total Disbursements Balance on hand – Nov 30, 2014 $1,508.01 776.96 151.36 $2,133.61 Receipts: November NARFE 50/50 Alzheimer Raffle $ 113.08 Christmas Luncheon 504.00 Membership Dues 59.88 Total $776.96 Disbursements: NARFE Alzheimer 50-50 November Meeting: $ 113.08 Newsletter – November 38.28 Total $151.36 ROLFE SABEN, TREASURER 4 LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS Mark R. Warner; United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510 202-224-2023 fax 202-224-6295 Email-Go to: http://warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=contact and fill out the screen information requested. Tim Kaine; United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510 202-224-4024 fax 202-224-6363 Email-Go to: http://kaine.senate.gov/contact/ and fill out the screen information requested. Dave Brat; U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-2815 (may be temporary) fax 202-225-0011 (may be temporary) Bryce E. Reeves; State Senator, 17th District PO Box 7021, Fredericksburg , VA 22407 540-645-8440 E-mail [email protected] Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. State Senator, 22nd District E-mail [email protected] Peter F. Farrell; State Delegate-56th District PO Box 87, Richmond, VA 23218 804 644-0266 E-mail [email protected] Robert D. Orrock, Sr.; State Delegate-54th District P.O. Box 458, Thornburg, VA 22565 540-891-1322 E-mail [email protected] COMMITTEE CHAIRS & APPOINTED POSITIONS Service Officer and Chaplain– Bob Juza 540-872-5498 Newsletter Editor – Lee Miller 540- 872-4696 Alzheimer’s Fund – Bill Patterson 540-967-5592 National Legislation – Ray Siewert, Actg. 540-967-1544 State Legislation – Vacant Sunshine – Donna Juza 540-872-5498 Public Relations – Kate Killham 540-907-2353 Program – Dick Shrum 540-872-5409 Holiday lunch – Rachel Hollins 540-872-2870 Commission on Aging – Bill Martin 540- 872-3345 5