SALISBURY, Md. - After an extension was granted to keep Maryland state retirees prescription drug benefits through 2019, a lawsuit will keep the coverage until a judge hears the case.
Retiree Ken Fitch organized the lawsuit against Maryland after learning the prescription drug benefits were in jeopardy in early 2018. Fitch says the case will keep those benefits until a judge says otherwise.
MAC Inc. says depending on how the injunction is processed, they will be better educated on how to assist their clients on the Eastern Shore.
"The increase for some of the medications were quite a bit. And so by them getting a reprieve, yes they did not have to pay this year, but what's to come for following years?" SHIP Coordinator Michelle Parker said.
Once the lawsuit was filed, this notice was posted to the state website:
"DUE TO THE RECENT COURT ORDER PROVIDING FOR THE EXTENSION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE FOR MEDICARE - ELIGIBLE STATE RETIREES BEYOND 12/31/18, RETIREES DO NOT NEED TO ENROLL IN A MEDICARE PART D PLAN FOR 1/1/19."
But Parker says, while state retirees may be able to take a sigh of relief for now, the battle to keep those benefits is not over.
"I think they're still uneasy, they're restful now knowing yes, okay I get a little bit of time and I can kind of replan it, but I'm hoping they don't put all their eggs in one basket," Parker said.
District 38B Delegate Carl Anderton says the outcome for whether those benefits will be kept moving forward is a key agenda item for the upcoming general assembly session.
"If there's a way to ensure that our state retirees can enjoy the quality of life they've had, we're going to continue to make that happen. If not we're going to keep working until we can, I won't take no for an answer," Anderton said.
The general assembly will reconvene on Wednesday, January 9 in Annapolis. No word yet to when the case will go to court. This story will be updated accordingly.
