• Medicare Managed Care Plans Cost Feds 12.4 Percent More Than
  Traditional Medicare Plans
• AFT Helps Found New Pension Coalition
• Minimum Wage Hike Would Benefit Thousands of Seniors
• Higher Percentage of Seniors Voted for Democrats in 2006 than in 2004
• Lauren Luchi Joins AFT Retirement Program Staff
• AFT Vice President Tom Mooney Dies at 52
• Need a Place To Hang Your Hat for the Holidays?
• Quote of Note
• Web site of the Week: http://unionshop.aflcio.org/shop/index.cfm

MEDICARE MANAGED CARE PLANS COST FEDS 12.4 PERCENT MORE THAN TRADITIONAL MEDICARE PLANS
Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in private Medicare Advantage (MA) HMO plans in 2005 cost the federal government $5.2 billion, or 12.4 percent, more than comparable beneficiaries enrolled in the traditional fee-for-service program, according to a study released in November by the Commonwealth Fund. About 5.6 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in MA plans, managed care plans that are sponsored by private health insurers. The study found that payments to MA plans in 2005 exceeded fee-for-service program costs among comparable beneficiaries by $922 per beneficiary. According to the study, the federal government should re-examine policies on payments to MA plans and consider other uses for the funds. Stuart Guterman, senior program director for the Commonwealth Fund, said the federal government could use the funds to reduce premiums or improve benefits for Medicare beneficiaries. "The question isn't whether the private plans are good or bad," Guterman said, adding, "The question is: Is this the best use of money?”

AFT HELPS FOUND NEW PENSION COALITION
The AFT is one of six founding member organizations of the National Public Pension Coalition (NPPC). Devoted to protecting defined-benefit pension plans in the public sector, the new group also includes the AFL-CIO, Change to Win, AFSCME, NEA and SEIU. NPPC recently has become formally incorporated and is expected to begin operations in the first part of next year. All of the founding members also have made substantial contributions to fund the group. A larger informal coalition fighting to preserve and strengthen defined-benefit public pensions has been meeting for about a year.

MINIMUM WAGE HIKE WOULD BENEFIT THOUSANDS OF SENIORS
The Democrats' plan to hike the minimum wage has drawn strong support from the AFT and AFL-CIO. The latest group to sign on includes the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a coalition of more than 50 senior and labor groups that includes the AFT. In a letter to members of the new House of Representatives, LCAO members cited “thousands of senior citizens [who] work in minimum-wage retail and service jobs to supplement their Social Security benefits.” The group said increased life expectancy and rising healthcare costs are just two of the many reasons why older workers need a raise. LCAO members cited a drop of more than 20 percent in the real value of the minimum wage since the last increase in 1997. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has pledged to advance legislation in the first 100 hours of the next Congress to increase the minimum wage by $2.10 over two years.

HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF SENIORS VOTED FOR DEMOCRATS IN 2006 THAN IN 2004
In the midterm elections of 2006, Democrats won the vote of those 60 and older by 4 percent, 52 percent to 48 percent, according to a New York Times exit poll. Of union retirees, 72 percent voted for Democrats. The margin for Democrats among all voters 60 and older was up 6 percent over the margin in 2004. This election was only the second time since 1992 that the party has won the older Americans' vote—in 2000, Democrats also won 52 percent of the senior vote. Republicans won one subgroup of the over-60 demographic: whites, by a margin of 53 percent-47 percent. Women age 60 and older also voted for Democrats by a margin of 53 percent-47 percent, while older African-Americans favored Democrats 90 percent-10 percent.

LAUREN LUCHI JOINS AFT RETIREMENT
PROGRAM STAFF
Seasoned organizer and mobilization specialist Lauren Luchi joined the AFT program on retirement and retirees in December as associate director. Lauren comes to the AFT with some 15 years experience in advocacy, organizing and program development with the AFT and several aging organizations. Most recently, she served in AARP’s advocacy department in Washington, D.C., where she focused on healthcare, consumer protection and economic security issues. Lauren also has served in a variety of capacities for the National Council on the Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Texas Nursing Association. Raised in Houston, she previously worked with the Texas Federation of Teachers, where she recruited members, trained leaders and organized local unions through the AFT Professional Educators Group program. She holds a master’s degree in gerontology from the University of Southern California. In her current position, Lauren will focus on building and strengthening the retiree program in partnership with AFT locals and state federations.

AFT VICE PRESIDENT TOM MOONEY DIES AT 52
AFT vice president and Ohio Federation of Teachers president Tom Mooney, 52, died of an apparent heart attack Dec. 3 at his apartment in Columbus. Mooney, who became OFT president in 2000, previously was the longtime president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers. "We have lost one of the nation's most forceful and eloquent voices on behalf of teachers, students and public education," said AFT president Edward J. McElroy. Mooney was elected to the AFT executive council in 1990 and since 1998 was a member of the council's executive committee. Earlier, he served on the council's human rights and community relations committee and chaired the AFT Teachers program and policy council. Under Mooney's leadership, the CFT became a national standard-bearer in advancing teacher professionalism. The local negotiated the country's second Peer Assistance and Evaluation Program and built an extensive career ladder for teachers. In Mooney's last term as local president, the CFT and district administrators developed a rigorous teacher evaluation system that calls for higher levels of performance from experienced teachers. Mooney also was a strong advocate for retiree health coverage in Ohio and, in conjunction with the AFT, created a coalition that helped preserve benefits for thousands of teacher retirees there. Under his leadership, OFT members won their first-ever seats on the Ohio Teachers Retirement System board. Mooney is survived by his wife, Debbie Schneider; a son and daughter; and his mother, brother and two sisters. Condolences may be sent in care of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, 1251 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205.

NEED A PLACE TO HANG YOUR HAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Save 10 percent off the "best available rate" at thousands of participating Cendant locations throughout the world! You can use the link below to locate participating hotels at your destination and make your reservations. To make your reservation online, click on the Cendant link (Cendant Hotels Online) or call 877/670-7088 or use the toll-free number for the hotel chain listed below. Identify yourself as an AFT member and mention your AFT + ID# to the operator: 20952. Be sure to book in advance.

QUOTE OF NOTE
"What many [unions] are doing is evolving into a more professional model, where we have to realize that it's not good enough. . .to limit the power of the bureaucracy; we have to transform. . .the system."

Tom Mooney (1954-2006)
Ohio Federation of Teachers president, 2000-2006

WEB SITE OF THE WEEK: http://unionshop.aflcio.org/shop/index.cfm
Buttons, mugs, key chains, caps—the AFL-CIO’s Union Shop Online has plenty of items priced and sized just right for stuffing stockings. Check out union-made, budget-loving gift ideas for less than $10 each from organizing buttons and note cards to knit hats and golf balls.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!