PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
One of our members shared the following numbers for 2023 with me, which I shall pass along to you all. (A) 6.5% inflation for 2022 (eggs up 59.9%; airfares 28.5%), (B) 12.2% increase in median home appreciation (down from 23% in 2021), (C) 8.7% approximate increase in health plan premiums, (D) 4.6% salary increase for working federal employees, (E) 7.7% COLA increase for FERS; 8.7% for CSRS, (F) $44 Medicare Part A increase for each hospital stay, (G) $7 less for Medicare Part B deductible, (H) $5.20 less for Medicare Part B monthly premium, and (I) Federal Long Term Care stopped taking new applicants on 12/19/2022. Thanks, Joanne.
Tax time is upon us again. You will be able to download an electronic copy of your 1099 from your OPM personal account. Professor Candice Correia at Whitworth University will talk about federal income taxes for 2022 at our next meeting on February 13. Join us to eat lunch, enjoy friends, and listen to Dr. Correia at Darcy’s Restaurant, 10502 East Sprague, Spokane Valley.
Please call me at 208-661-7695 or email me at scottsoriole@q.com if you have any questions regarding Spokane Chapter 32.
ALZHEIMER’S (vacant Chairperson)
This anonymous writer reported last month about the new drug Lecanemab. NPR Weekend Edition Saturday (01/07/2023) reported the Federal Drug Administration approved Lecanemab, which will be marketed as Leqembi. It will likely reach many more patients than a similar product, Aduhelm, which flopped after receiving a controversial approval in 2021. Like Aduhelm, Leqembi can cause either swelling or bleeding in the brain, which means patients must receive periodic brain scans after starting treatment. Eisai, the company that developed Leqembi in partnership with fellow drugmaker Biogen, will price the treatment at $26,500 per year.
Whether or not Medicare and private health insurers will cover the drug remains unclear at present time. Sticky amyloid plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The new drug will be given intravenously every other week to remove amyloids from the brain. However, many previous drugs that targeted amyloids failed to slow down patients' loss of mental abilities. In a study of 1,800 people with early Alzheimer's, patients receiving Leqembi for 18 months experienced 27 percent less decline in memory and thinking. Dr. Joy Snider, a professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said "It's not a cure. It doesn't stop the disease completely. It doesn't make people get better, but it does slow down progression in very mild disease.
Spokane Chapter is recruiting an Alzheimer’s Chairperson. If you are interested in sharing your learned knowledge with the group, then please contact any Officer or Director. With no chairperson, a village is needed to share information with our group.
PROGRAM (vacant Chairperson)
Whitworth professor Candice Correia will talk about taxes in February. Jonathan Hulog will talk about the U.S. Border Patrol in March. Phil Altmeyer will talk about the Union Gospel Mission in April. Mary Binder will talk about her relationship between District Vice-president and the chapters in May. Spokane Chapter is also recruiting a Program Chairperson. If you are interested in sharing speakers with our group, then please contact any Officer or Director. With no chairperson, a village is needed to find guest speakers for our membership meetings.
Spokane Chapter is recruiting a Program Chairperson. If you are interested in sharing your learned knowledge with the group, please contact any Officer or Director.
NARFE – PAC MaryAnn Bosky
You can contribute to NARFE – PAC using the contribution form found in the monthly NARFE Magazine or by sending a check, made out to NARFE – PAC, to our Post Office Box. The address is: NARFE, PO Box 4592, Spokane, WA 99220.
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
From the ashes of the last Congress rises the phoenix of a Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Offset (GPO/WEP) bill. These provisions penalize 2 million workers whose problem was that held jobs in both the government and private industry. For that problem their Social Security benefits get reduced. Once again this popular (HR 82) has 99 co-sponsors. Let us hope that it fares better than prior years when even with 305 co-sponsors it failed to reach the House for a vote. Keep letting Congress know how unfair these provisions are.
Another item that costing us money is the fact that the Office of Personnel is unable to identify ineligible FEHBP family members. This item was said to be costing us 1 billion dollars annually.
On the plus side, Federal employees received a 4.6 % pay boost, and the 1.7 trillion dollar budget bill was passed thus funding the Government through September.
The drawback is that Congress may not pass legislation to increase the debt ceiling. Already the treasury department has taken extraordinary measures such as not funding the Thrift Saving Plan ,Government Fund, and and suspending investment in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability fund.
PAST VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton
LEGcon 2023 is scheduled for June 19-21, 2023, in Washington DC. A great opportunity to meet with other Federation and Chapters leaders. Both the Chapter and Federation budgets identified funds to help offset members travel costs.
NARFE is more than just a great magazine. Let them know!
Promote NARFE anytime you can. The more members we have the more power to protect our benefits and retirement!
NARFE = YOUR BEST BET FOR THE FUTURE!
DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
FEBRUARY CHAPTER MEETING
MONDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2023 – 11:30 AM
DARCY’S RESTAURANT
10502 E SPRAGUE,
SPOKANE VALLEY
The meeting will be available via ZOOM:
Meeting ID: 846 9246 3195
Passcode: 137652
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
MEMBERSHIP
The Chapter is looking for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact any of the Officers or Directors. Come be a part of a great group of people fighting for your benefits.
SUNSHINE Susan Harvey
The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in February.
REMINDER, spouses can be members on their own OR can take over the membership of a deceased member. If you are interested in continuing this very valuable membership, please contact Scott Robinson. He is currently recruiting for a Membership Chair. If you are interested, please contact him.
If you become aware of good news, illnesses, surgeries, or a death of a member or family member, please contact me at 509-953-6828.
SERVICE & OUTREACH Kathy Brooks
We are hoping we will be able to provide future retirees with a Pre-Retirement Seminar this coming Spring. Be on the lookout for more information.
Spokane Washington Chapter 32
PO Box 4592
Spokane, WA 99220
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association 32
NARFE on the Web:
National: narfe.org WSF: narfewa.org Spokane: narfespokane.org
Darcy's Restaurant and Spirits
Traditional American Cuisine
10502 E Sprague Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
United States
+1 (509) 891-0773
Comentários