One “canary in the coal mine” for the U.S. health care system is the fate of early retirees’ health benefits. Once a win-win for workers and employers, the skyrocketing cost of health insurance has reversed this trend. The pressure on employers and anxiety of retirees have risen. This has led to new types of arrangements between firms and unions to preserve funding and insurance for pre-Medicare retirees. But will it work? Should other firms and unions follow suit? And what role should policy play in protecting the health coverage of early retirees?
Please join us for a discussion of these questions with a distinguished panel. Jeanne Lambrew of the Center for American Progress will present an overview of the challenges and policy issues. Larry Cohen of Communications Workers of America, Annette Guarisco of General Motors, Karen Ignagni of America’s Health Insurance Plans, and Barbara Kennelly of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, will shed light on the opportunities, challenges, and possible actions that public and private actors can take.
Please note that the length of this event has been extended by 30 minutes.
Featured Panelists:
Larry Cohen, President of the Communications Workers of America
Annette Guarisco, Executive Director, Federal Affairs and principal deputy to the Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Relations at General Motors
Karen Ignagni, President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Health Insurance Plans
Barbara B. Kennelly, President and CEO, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare
Moderated by:
Jeanne Lambrew, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress