Representatives of four independent college units in New York City and Long Island — representing about 1,500 NYSUT members who are private college adjuncts — received an overview by NYSUT staff on the Affordable Care Act.
The ACA program held at the Long Island University Brooklyn campus was led by Sue Klug, NYSUT's health benefits expert. The group discussed:
- The health insurance marketplace in New York state, nystateofhealth.ny.gov, which allows visitors to compare health insurance options and federal subsidies for members who are seasonal, temporary or part-time and not eligible for health insurance through the collective bargaining agreement.
- n Possible financial penalties for employers who do not offer comprehensive, affordable coverage to full-time employees. Local leaders were concerned about the lack of clear regulations related to the calculation of adjunct hours and employers possibly cutting adjunct workloads to avoid offering health insurance.
- New taxes on health insurance, including the "Cadillac tax" on high-cost plans, that may or may not affect NYSUT members. The tax is not effective until 2018 and regulations have not been issued.
Judy Sandler, the NYSUT labor relations specialist who coordinated the presentation, said the ACA "is at the forefront of interest. This was an opportunity for members at the private colleges to get together."
Locals attending were Long Island University Faculty Federation, Brooklyn; CW Post College Federation; CW Post Administrators Local; and United Federation of College Teachers, Pratt.
For more information about the ACA, visit www.nysut.org.