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| Dr. Michael Salvatore |
Dr. Michael Salvatore is outgoing Superintendent at Long Branch. He's been tapped to become senior VP at Kean University. His school district was confronted with rising costs as well, but felt it was unfair to place them on the shoulders of his teachers and staff. Here's what Dr. Salvatore says about the employee-only health center:
"What I loved about this model ... is that [all staff] had the same concierge-type service as everybody else. No waiting lines, no co-pays, we did a fabulous job that first year. Care coordination was the difference maker. Having the staff from the partnership health center communicate with medical professionals to avoid unnecessary appointments and procedures, our staff benefited tremendously and we has major savings from that. The following year we collected enough information that we started to add more to our medical services because what we realized was, educators are people who take care of other people; sometimes, they leave themselves behind. We want to make sure that they had the care that they deserved. We started to offer a wide array of medical services, including chiropractic, physical therapy, x-ray technicians on site, we even had acupuncture and free yoga sessions. Our goal od fiscal sustainability was accomplished, but more importantly, we were taking care of our people."
Every employee should be in opposition to this medical plan. Our unions suck and we have no one to represent us against this lunacy of McClure. When i came to work for the County, I was told I would get medical benefits for me and my family. I was told they were part of my wages. John Brown cut my wages by making me co-pay for my medical benefits, a co-pay that was taken out of my weekly pay check. Then when I went to the doctor, I had to pay a co-pay before the doctor would see me. I pay a co-pay based on my hourly wage and a co-pay when I visit the doctor. This action by Brownstain reduced my wages considerably because now I have to pay for a benefit that was once considered part of my hourly salary. If this isn't illegal it should be because it cuts into my hourly wage. The County promised me a certain hourly rate of pay and then they reduce my rate of pay with these so called co-pays. Wake up fellow employees. This is nothing more than a cheap attempt to make it look like the County is trying to help us when in fact they have done nothing but screw us. Do they really care? If so, do the wage study. If my hourly salary is competitive with the labor market and my benefits are competitive with other Counties, I will admit I'm wrong and jump on Mr. McClure's bandwagon. Until then, we should all continue to fight him.
ReplyDeletePeeps dropping tonight in Bethlem ?:
DeleteThis sounds like a pile of public education bullshit. Let's see some numbers proving that it saved cost to the taxpayer.
ReplyDelete12:54,
ReplyDeleteYou sound like an idiot. Employers always figure health benefits into their cost of wages - their cost, not your paycheck amount.
Where I work, part-timers are paid more per hour than full-time employees who receive benefits.
I'll take the lower wage with benefits.
I have the same set-up as you. I have an amount taken from my paycheck for benefits, a co-pay for an office visit, and a deductible to meet when receiving care. I suspect you also receive reduced prescription costs, eyeglasses, and dental?
What I'm confused about is your anger at McClure, who is looking to ease your financial burden with an employee only health center.
You're missing the point.
DeleteMcClure isn't trying to ease the financial burden of employees. If that was the case, he would raise wages to what other localities are paying.
McClure is trying to lower County cost while at the same time having an ever increasing top heavy payroll.
So the users of this plan say it is great. Since they hired them would they say otherwise? Why would council members ask question of these people when they know they will say its wonderful and great even if it isn't.
ReplyDeleteThe statement itself sends warning signs. As much as he coats his response with how much he loves people, the substance is about cost. The idea that the county run health center will steer employees away from "unnecessary" tests or procedures sounds more like steering them away from "costly" tests and procedures.
So employees should trust a company doctor and staff not to put saving their bosses money over the health of the employees?
Too bad the McClure union bosses are not as passionate of a pay study but then again, they do whatever their real boss McClure wants.
It may eventually control costs, but it is hardly about better care for employees and that is the shameful truth.
Your commitment to this bad idea is admirable.
ReplyDeleteBernie
ReplyDeleteHow do the employees feel about this?
A laudable idea, poorly executed by a mediocre executive, and requiring a salvage campaign here. This is to be expected. Government, in general, doesn't get our best. And the Twitter files indicate how much control elected types have over social media messaging. This is official messaging, complete with a partisan snipe. Is his water heavy Bernie? Lol. If the exec was a leader and not a repugnant authoritarian, this gets implemented easily.
ReplyDeleteWhy should they get this when the retires are screwed? They have healthcare better than retirees. One is enough. Don't need two. Get rid of McClueless and his Administration Clowns with Council next to go!
ReplyDelete". Let's see some numbers proving that it saved cost to the taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteI've done so in at least three different posts. It would save between $1.44 million and $1.76 million in healthcare costs paid by the county.
" And the Twitter files indicate how much control"
This gives you away as a partisan.
"How do the employees feel about this?"
Positive. I understand that even the deputy sheriff union, which hates McClure, is at least considering a letter in support.
The cost question is easily solved.
DeleteLet the employees pay for the costs of THEIR health center upfront through mandatory payroll deductions. Since the savings will be more than the cost they can be reimbursed early in the following year once everything is accounted for.
Problem solved, right? I’m sure the Deputy and other unions will agree to that since they’re so eager to support it.
You all voted him in twice. As for costs a true spreadsheet showing cost reduction should be required. As for the first post and cost of health care. Everyone pays for it. Go to the private sector and see all the other benefits you get disappear. Paid holidays sick time vacation time. Personal days pension. look around and you might be able to see how lucky you are!! Be grateful. You have a lot of benefits with the county
ReplyDeleteWhat good do days off do when employees have to work a 2nd job to make ends meet? I've never been happier since leaving there and "those benefits" they should be grateful for are pretty universal.
DeleteThe amount of poor people in this county that consistency vote against their own interest and have been brainwashed to fight vigorously against any social program that just might benefit anyone with lesser means than themselves is astonishing. You have all been indoctrinated, through right wing psychological warfare and fear to believe that your neighbor is your enemy, and that the rich deserve everything to get because they’ve “worked” for it. Hahaha
ReplyDeleteWow
So you’re saying county employees have lesser means than the poor?
DeleteSheesh, what planet are you living on?
1:35 AM.....Your quote "Employers always figure health costs into their costs of wages" is exactly my point. We too take that into consideration when calculating our hourly rate of pay and take home pay. Thank you for confirming my point.
ReplyDeleteYou are the idiot. When I came to work for the County, I was told what benefits I would get and I could compare those benefits and wages to what is being paid elsewhere. The TOTAL PACKAGE is what we look at asshole. Every year I pay more for doctors visits and every year I have more money deducted from my paycheck (a percentage of my pay, not a set fee) to pay more for medical coverage and anytime I get a wage increase my costs go up based on a percentage. I have a feeling Mr. Dirtinger or another member of the McClure administration is the author of the 1:35 posting. Another thing dipstick, I was told my retirement benefit was a certain amount. Now this administration changed the rules and they tax my pension and I have to pay for my retirement medical benefits. Make sure you know what you're talking about before you shoot your stupid mouth off.
Yes, a county employee that finally breaks it down to the masses of this county that don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. Great job!!
DeleteYou go there for physical therapy after your penal implant.
ReplyDelete"The amount of poor people in this county that consistency vote against their own interest ..."
ReplyDeleteYou know a pearl from a really smart guy is coming when you see this lead in. On the other hand, some are baffled at guys like this who step-n-fetch-it for their betters by insulting people smarter than they. Who looks stupid? Hmm.
Aww, hurt your feelings? You must be a poor guy that votes conservative. The truth cuts deeper 2 mil property tax rate.
Delete@10:43 am… ok to be clear you pay more for your contribution to healthcare as it is a % of pay. So that means you have gotten raises because you are paid more. So you can thank McClure for your raises.
ReplyDeleteAlso your pension is 5% contribution from your base salary and is taken before taxes. That is the law and has always been that way.
Retiree benefits were ended by Stoffa in 2010. So if you were hired before then you get them if not you don’t. Nothing McClure did changes that. As a matter of fact the retirement board ended the premium retires had to pay for retiree medical benefits. McClure lead the pension board to eliminate that expense for the county retirees.
One last thing. Your pension contributions are paid for with pre-tax dollars and qualified payments are not taxable. That is federal and state income tax law. So your pension is not taxed by the county. If you hate working for the county so much you can simply quit or retire. At least get the facts straight when you post and so your not spreading disinformation and hurting appreciative hard working employees who know what is going on.
@10:43
ReplyDeleteYour rants and multiple posts should have you looking for another job. Obviously, you're an angry Karen. 1:35 proved you to be a fool who expects everything for nothing. Join us in the real world. We all pay for benefits, if we're lucky enough to get them.
Employers try to lower their cost and employees want the most from their employers, to think otherwise would be foolish.
DeleteIt's no secret that Norco employees are severely underpaid in many departments. The trade off used to be the pay was low but the benefits far outweighed the wages. There is no trade off anymore. The benefits the county offers are comparable to the private sector but the wages are still low.
There is a reason this administration is putting off doing a pay study. Because the County severely underpays its employees.
Yes, they recieved raises from McClure but those raises haven't kept up with the National average.
As far as the health center goes, it seems like promising idea until the County forces employees to use the health center as their only in-network provider.
It seems the only "karens" here are those who bash employees for wanting something in return for their hard work.
After all, we can't all take 2-3 hour lunches funded by the taxpayers like these administrators do. Shameful.
Go look for something else, then.
Delete"As for costs a true spreadsheet showing cost reduction should be required"
ReplyDeleteHas not been introduced. The McClure gang with their press Attache O'Hare have used euphuisms and wonderful words yet not one spreadsheet to show actual real numbers. Not projections but actual costs and savings. That would be easy to procure from their clients if they wanted to, but they have not and will not. Not even a true spreadsheet on what has been saved in the other locations. Just speeches.
Barron pushed this hundred-year-old company town idea and As O'Hare's new best friend O'Hare jumped on the bandwagon.
Fact remains other than weaselly lawyer talk no actual PROVEN numbers have been submitted.
"So you’re saying county employees have lesser means than the poor?"
ReplyDeleteDon't throw caring for the poor into this. You're exploiting them. McClure only wants to ignore them. He wins that virtue battle, I think.
For all the conversation, real numbers of savings have not been presented. My business doesn't make decisions without information like this. The county shouldn't, either. When you have hope in one hand and shit in the other, you are holding shit. Real savings projections will correct this and convince doubters that the program is a winner. It's puzzling that this hasn't happened.
ReplyDeleteSo if the savings are what you report Bernie, then can you incentivize the community by giving them a 50/50 split? Where 50% of the cost savings goes to the taxpayer as good will and 50% to the local government.
ReplyDeleteThis message to 1:50 PM and 1"04 PM
ReplyDeleteYou are so out of touch with reality you should never respond on a Blog. Everyone knows that what Stoffa did in 2010 is "ILLEGAL" but no one (not even the retirement board) will do anything about it. Shame on them. We as employees will be organized and we are presently encouraging the retirees to join us in our fight against the unfair practices of these County Executives and elected officials. Come election day, we will be a force to be reckoned with. Watch our smoke. your responses are whacko untruths and you know it. So Mr. Barron and Mr. McClure brace yourself. You are liars and your days are numbered.
You do realize this Executive and his Administration are deep into their second term, yes?
DeleteStill think a health care facility would be great for county workers , no copay , no wait for appointments and it save money for the county . Oh yeah John Brown screwed us that’s why so many good employees retired because he said we had Cadillac insurance so he raised our deductible and copay and started a hiring freeze that’s still hurting the county.
ReplyDeleteYea that is correct that John Brown screwed the employees when he was count executive. Thankfully Lamont did win the election and John Brown was not re-elected. John Brown did not care about Northampton County employees. Does anyone remember what the county employees went through when Brown was county executive ? The health insurance cost was outrageous. An incredible amount of employees were showing up at county council meetings expressing themselves regarding John Brown and his health plan. It was quite sad. People were angry and emotional as Brown sat there straight faced. No emotion. Now he is on county council. .
DeleteMost county employees are the working poor. Very few make a wage to support a family by themselves. Either the spouse works or you have a second job to live comfortably.
ReplyDeleteMaybe do some real looking into things Bernie not just post what Lamont and chucky want you to say. Question 1. Ask the employees not the boss who made the decision. Question 2. Interviewing a guy on the way out the door. If it was his choice you know it was gonna be the best thing ever. Question 3. Show me the money. Let's see the numbers, how much money did it save. Let's see the reduction on the employees contributions.
And last but not least what is Lamont or one of his boys getting out of this ? That's the way it works in Northampton county. Just like Kenny and Jimmy getting a lake for FREE from Lamont and chucky to start their little bubble making business. Its always something for someone in this county