35 monthly insulin cap under IRA aids retired nurses budget / Public News Service

The Inflation Reduction Act has brought tangible improvements to Pennsylvanians’ lives.

Health care premiums are declining, monthly insulin costs are now capped, vaccinations are provided free of charge and out-of-pocket expenses are decreasing. More than 80,000 Pennsylvanians on Medicare Parts B and D now pay a maximum of $35 per month for insulin.

Steven Lubin, a retired ICU registered nurse in Philadelphia, emphasized the importance of affordable diabetes medication and applauded the Inflation Reduction Act for helping him save on insulin costs. Ludin noted he used to pay high copays, but now has access to vital medicines without sacrificing other essentials.

“When you’re on Medicare, you end up spending a lot more money,” Lubin pointed out. “By the end of the year, I’ve spent a couple thousand dollars on insulin. So, $35 a month for the insulin that I use for when I’m eating. And then I have a long-acting insulin that I also pay $35 a month for.”

Lubin emphasized the importance of expanding the Affordable Care Act to more Pennsylvanians. He added Pennsylvania has taken steps to widen health insurance coverage in the state and stressed the ongoing need for affordability assistance.

Lubin said for millions of Americans with diabetes, access to affordable medication and treatment is quite literally a matter of life and health. He added he witnessed firsthand the dire consequences when diabetic patients are unable to afford their insulin and other essential medications due to high costs.

“Over the years, I have definitely had a number of patients that were unable to afford their rents when they either had to ration the amount of insulin they were taking,” Lubin recounted. “At times they were unable to fill the prescription at all, because it was several hundred dollars per vial if you had to pay for it out of pocket.”

Lubin added it is essential for Pennsylvanians to work with their members of Congress to find the best solution to expanding the $35 co-pay for insulin throughout all insurance plans and helping people without medical insurance.

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The power of unions in America is growing as members are less hesitant to strike for fair workplace policies and livable wages.

One union’s collective bargaining process led to the creation of a historic seven-year contract in Indiana. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 618 represents transportation security officers at five Indiana airports.

Kevin Smith, president of Local 618, said the contract boosted the rules of operation from 15 to 37.

“The biggest factor behind this new contract was basically the need for better rights and protections for all of our officers,” Smith explained. “Our last contract was very limited to what we couldn’t negotiate and it placed a lot of things in the hands of the agency that wasn’t always in the officers’ best interests.”

The revised contract terms outline protection from unfair discipline, new uniform rights, better leave conditions and bargaining input for local issues, among other things. The union represents officers at airports in Indianapolis, South Bend, Evansville, and Fort Wayne. Lafayette’s airport recently completed the process for using federal agents at security checkpoints and baggage sites, and for workforce screening.

In August 1981, thousands of air traffic controllers illegally walked off the job over wage disputes and working conditions. President Ronald Reagan fired the protesters and replacements were brought in. And although it is against the law for transportation security officers to strike, Smith noted the union is eyeing action to give their members the same rights as other federal workers.

“We have gotten what we called mirrored Title Five rights,” Smith pointed out. “But we are nowhere near close to having the same rights as the rest of the federal government workers and different agencies have. So that will be our next fight to try to get that happening. “

House Resolution 8370, or “Rights for the TSA Workplace Act” was reintroduced this month with the endorsement of American Federation of Government Employees TSA Council 100 President Hydrick Thomas. The measure was drafted to make officers’ rights a law and to ensure it can’t be changed by future administrations.

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The United Auto Workers union continues the fight to add workers at two Alabama Mercedes-Benz plants in Vance and Woodstock to its union rolls.

Despite losing the union election by a narrow margin this month, the UAW has accused the automaker of misconduct and is seeking a new election. The union has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging the company illegally intimidated workers into voting against the union.

Shawn Fain, president of the UAW, alleged the company interfered in the organizing process.

“This company engaged in egregious, illegal behavior,” Fain said. “The federal government and the German government are currently investigating Mercedes for the intimidation and harassment that they inflicted on their own workers.”

The objections are being reviewed by the regional director of the labor relations board, who has the authority to order a hearing. If it is determined the employer’s actions influenced the election, a new vote may be ordered.

Gov. Kay Ivey has said the plant workers have made their voices heard and the UAW should respect the outcome. Ivey and other southern governors have opposed efforts to unionize, saying direct relationships between workers and employers foster better work environments.

In the recent publication “Labor Notes,” Mercedes worker Jeremy Kimbrell outlined allegations of union-busting activities, including sending anti-union messages, holding so-called “captive audience” meetings and playing anti-union videos.

Despite the loss, Fain acknowledged some victories achieved through the union’s campaign. He highlights pay increases secured through the UAW’s efforts, the elimination of wage tiers and the appointment of a new CEO. However, Fain thinks more could be done to improve working conditions at the plants.

“It’s about getting our lives back, getting our times back, and having dignity on the job,” Fain outlined. “The only path to do that, the only vehicle for that, is with a union contract.”

Following last year’s victories at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the UAW has pledged $40 million to focus on organizing efforts in the South.

In the meantime, Gov. Ivey signed Senate Bill 231 into law, which mandates unions can only be formed through secret ballots. Companies voluntarily recognizing unions without the secret ballot risk losing state incentives.

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Workers at an Oregon hospital are celebrating their recent vote in favor of unionizing. More than 260 Legacy Mount Hood health-care workers voted to join SEIU Local 49. The union represents other Legacy health-care workers in the Portland area, including at Emanuel, Randall Children’s and Good Samaritan hospitals.

Kathi Mitchell is a certified health technician at Legacy Mount Hood.

“We wanted to form a union, stand up for our fair pay and respect, and not only that. My idea is, I’m going to retire in five years, and I want this for future generations, for future employees,” she said.

Mitchell added she and coworkers decided joining a union could help them get better pay. She points out that some of her colleagues work two jobs to make ends meet. A spokesperson for Legacy said it respects the decision and is committed to “open, respectful and productive relationships” with employees, regardless of union status.

Workers at Legacy Mount Hood have also been concerned about staffing levels. Mitchell said certified health technicians, or CHTs, working day shifts sometimes have six to eight patients to look after, and night shift CHTs can have as many as 16.

“Guess who suffers? Not only the CHTs – the patient care suffers. And so, that was another focus for me, is the patient care at Legacy Mount Hood, so we could provide better care for our patients,” Mitchell stressed.

Next, the union will determine its priorities for bargaining and begin negotiations on its first contract. SEIU Local 49 represents about 15,000 workers in Oregon and southwest Washington, including health-care workers, janitors and security guards.

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