Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has issued a statement to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees requesting that premiums for the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage program be reduced. Additionally, Patrick is asking the Board to create a one-time re-enrollment opportunity for retired educators who have left the Medicare Advantage program.
“TRS’ leadership has done a great job managing the pension fund and I thank them for their efforts. Now, TRS leadership has the opportunity to make another good decision and decrease insurance premiums for Medicare-eligible participants in TRS-Care Medicare Advantage,” said Patrick.
Senator Joan Huffman (R – Houston) also issued a statement. “In 2023, Lt. Gov. Patrick and I worked with all Senators to inject billions of additional dollars into TRS to provide a substantial stipend to eligible retirees and a much-deserved cost-of-living adjustment. Now, there is an opportunity to provide further benefits for our Medicare-eligible population within the TRS-Care program.”
In 2017, the TRS-Care program was facing massive shortfalls and was close to collapse if not for the collaborative work done between the Texas Legislature, TRS, and the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). Legislation was passed that saved TRS-Care, though at a higher cost in increased premiums and some program changes reducing options for TRS-Care participants.
These program changes and the increased premium costs, particularly for those with spouses, caused tens of thousands of retirees to leave the health care program. In 2019, the Legislature worked with TRTA to pass a “golden ticket” that would allow some retirees to return to TRS-Care under limited circumstances, but a full open enrollment opportunity was not available.
More information about the changes that occurred in 2017 may be found in previous Inside Line articles here, here, and here.
While Patrick didn’t specify a particular percentage or dollar-amount reduction, his request for premium reductions will be influential on the decision-making process of the TRS Board of Trustees. Patrick’s full statement is available here.
TRTA is grateful to both Lt. Governor Patrick and Senate Finance Chair Huffman for their ongoing and proactive support of TRS retirees! TRTA is eager to work with Lt. Governor Patrick, Chair Huffman and the TRS Board on the changes that may best benefit TRS retirees and TRS-Care participants.
The TRS Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet on May 2 and May 3, and this topic will be part of their discussions. No decisions have been made at this time. TRTA will provide links to the live meeting webcasts once they become available and keep members informed of any final decisions. Please stay tuned to the Inside Line for updates.
