FOP Meeting

October 12, 2010

Please silence cell phones or place on vibrate.

Guest Speakers – Tim Burns, Candidate for Congress

Dick Galloway, Lodge 62 Solicitor

Treasurers Report – Randy Gardner (not present)

Dues Secretary Report – Bob Sipe (not present)

Member Assistance Committee – Paul McCommons

Application from Chris Miller – no action taken.

National Trustee – Paul McCommons

Presidents Report

Discussion from Round Robin concerning PSTA reimbursing Lodges

HB 2585 – Sheriff’s Bill. Introduced by Rep. Belfanti. Would expand duties of sheriffs and their deputies giving them full police powers. Vote was taken and was down party lines. Rep. Casorio and another Democrat voted against.

State E-Mail and MDC—Do not send anything inappropriate on state email or MDC. The Department has software that flags certain language on MDC and they have used this for IAD’s.

Response from Commissioner from Round Robin – A new patch and door decal for the MCEO’s will be coming out that is red in color.

There will be one more round of Corporal and Sergeant promotions before the test.

In response to a question concerning the discipline system, the commissioner stated that they are currently reviewing the entire disciplinary process to include restricted duty.

PAC Fund Report

Health Care Issues

HRA – When using your FBMC card, keep documentation also. Not all stores that accept the card are compliant in their reporting. This means that they may process purchases that are not eligible for reimbursement. Combined purchases of qualified and unqualified purchases should not be made. EX: you should not purchase chewing gum and OTC medications with the card although non-compliant stores will allow it. A list of compliant stores can be found on FBMC’s website.

Reimbursement checks are sent out once a month.

Express Scripts will accept the FBMC card.

If you use the card at a doctor’s office for more than just the co-pay, you will have to submit documentation to substantiate the transaction.

Mail Order Prescriptions – These are a cost savings for members on maintenance type drugs. Information was mailed to those on these types of drugs. Express Scripts will do some of the leg work for you, such as contacting the doctor’s office to make arrangements.

New Health Care Bill – Starting in 2018, insurers would be required to pay a 40% tax on “Cadillac” health care plans. “Cadillac” plans are determined by the following thresholds;

$10,200 for an individual employee or $27,500 for an employee with family coverage.

For retirees and workers in high risk professions such as police and firefighters, the thresholds are higher;

$11,850 for an individual plan and $30,950 for a family plan.

The thresholds would increase as the nation’s overall rate of inflation increase. The tax is imposed on the insurer but would surely trickle down to the consumer.

Troopers Helping Troopers – As of August 2010, we have 915 members contributing a little over $4,000.00 on a biweekly basis. Troop A has the lowest amount of members signed up, at 15 as compared to Troop H at 113. The current balance is $92,100.43.

Redesigned Mourning Pin – A new department mourning pin is available for members and retirees.

Members sick or in distress

Lou Lazzaro (retired) – broken ankle

Shawn Fabian (Somerset) – broken ankle

Good of the Order

Jamie Shaw took over the website again and it looks very good. www.fop62.com

Gun Bash Tickets are available. See Rich Stepinsky.

Mike Deise and the retirees will organize an honorary dinner at the June FOP meeting to honor those members 75 years and older. They will make arrangements to notify and provide transportation to and from the meeting.