PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Scott Robinson
I bring greetings to you all from the Texas Gulf Coast, where Tami and I are spending the winter. As you read this President’s Corner, we are beyond the winter solstice, which means that tomorrow has longer daylight hours than yesterday. Hooray! We hope you all had a merry Christmas and happy New Year’s Day. As we begin a new year, I encourage you to renew your Spokane Chapter 32 dues when you renew you NARFE National dues.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced a suspension of applications for Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) coverage. The suspension period began 19 December 2022 and will remain in effect for 24 months. It does not alter existing coverage for current enrollees. During the suspension period, FLTCIP will not accept any applications for coverage, and current enrollees may not apply to increase their coverage. Eligible individuals, who applied for FLTCIP to the program administrator, Long Term Care Partners, LLC, prior to December 19, will have their application considered. If the carrier approves the application for coverage, the individual will receive a benefit booklet and schedule of benefits with complete coverage information (Source: NARFE.org).
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)
While at opm.gov, I learned the IRS will launch a new computation of Federal Tax withholdings beginning January 1. I encourage you to keep a careful eye on your tax withholdings for next year.
The Alzheimer’s Association is encouraged by the full Phase 3 data presented by Eisai and Biogen from the CLARITY AD global clinical trial of lecanemab. The data published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms this treatment can meaningfully change the course of the disease for people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association calls for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) accelerated approval of lecanemab. These peer-reviewed, published results show lecanemab will provide patients more time to participate in daily life and live independently. It could mean many months more of recognizing their spouse, children, and grandchildren. Treatments that deliver tangible benefits to those living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s and early Alzheimer’s dementia are as valuable as treatments that extend the lives of those with other terminal diseases. However, an unprecedented policy of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will block access to this treatment. The FDA will decide whether to grant accelerated approval to lecanemab by 6 January 2023. Should the FDA do so, the current CMS policy will prevent thousands of Medicare beneficiaries with a terminal, progressive disease from this treatment within the limited span of time they will have to access it. If a patient decides with their health care provider that a treatment is right for them, Medicare must stand behind them as it does for beneficiaries with every other disease. CMS has pledged to move quickly to modify the NCD (note: NCD is not defined) if warranted by new evidence. The Alzheimer’s Association calls on
CMS to revise its policy with the utmost urgency (Source: alz.org).
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)
Melanie Rose from AVISTA will talk about energy sources and rates in January 2023. Whitworth professor Candice Correia will talk about taxes in February. Phil Altmeyer will talk about the Union Gospel Mission in April. 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.
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.
SPOKANE SERVICE CENTER
Narfe0032@gmail.com
509-624-9465
LEGISLATION Roger Bosky
As I write this, it appears that Congress will pass a spending bill to cover government spending for the next nine months - thus avoiding a
government shutdown on December 23rd.
With 305 co-sponsors, the government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision (GPO/WEP) failed to come to the house floor for a vote. We need to continue to press Congress to again put this legislation on their agenda. The latest NARFE magazine has an article outline its concerns for the coming session Congress, including repeal of GPO/WEP. NARFE will have our back for the new Year.
While I’ve yet to read the information contained in the new spending bill, I understand that there are provisions in that legislation affecting your TSP/401K’s. Keep a close watch.
PAST VICE PRESIDENT Arlene Patton
As 2022 comes to an end the Washington State Federation (WSF) and Chapters had a very busy, but productive, year. Chapters have recruited at least 56 new members. Hope the outreach plan, which many chapters created, helped to highlight recruitment and the benefits to being a NARFE Chapter member.
WSFederation was heavily involved in the closing of 3 Washington Chapters: NW Cascade, E Lake Washington, and Columbia Basin. Two additional Chapters, Wenatchee and Yakima have voted to close. Reason for closure was lack of new leaders to step- up and take over elected positions. This reinforces the need for succession plans for all Chapters, including Spokane. 2023 could be a challenge for Spokane Chapter 32 as all four (4) elected officers have fulfilled their 4 years and not eligible for reelection in their current positions. Who is going to step up and take on those critical leadership positions?
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
JANUARY CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY JANUARY 09, 2023 – 11:30 AM DARCY’S RESTAURANT 10502 E SPRAGUE, SPOKANE VALLEY
JANUARY CHAPTER MEETING MONDAY January 09, 2022 Lunch at 11:30 Meeting at 12:15 Darcy’s Restaurant 10502 E. Sprague Ave.
PRESENTER: Melanie Rose – AVISTA Representative
The meeting will be available via ZOOM: The ZOOM information is:
Meeting ID: 846 9246 3195
Passcode: 137652
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
With a one snow event after another it seems, my wish is for each of you to stay unharmed from mishaps or illnesses. Enjoy the holidays, however you celebrate. The Chapter is sending birthday and anniversary wishes to all who celebrate in January.
Eleven Spokane Chapter members have passed away this year.
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
NARFEontheWeb:National:www.narfe.orgWSF:www.narfewa.org Spokane:www.narfespokane.org