FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno Unified School District, the Fresno Teachers Association, and the Joint Health Management Board have announced plans to address the ongoing disruption in health insurance coverage for its retirees.
The disruption stems from stalled negotiations between Aetna and Community Medical Centers, which have left many retirees without access to essential healthcare services.
During a news conference, Superintendent Misty Her revealed that JHMB will meet on Thursday, Jan. 15, to vote on alternative options to ensure retirees receive necessary care.
Superintendent Her expressed frustration over the situation.
Retirees told her about doctors discontinuing care, delays or denials in medication access, and being turned away from services.
“These experiences are deeply troubling and unacceptable,” she said.
FTA President Manuel Bonilla urged Community Medical Centers to restore healthcare access for retirees immediately, accusing the centers of using retirees as “bargaining chips” in their contract dispute with Aetna.
Bonilla clarified that neither FUSD nor JHMB is involved in the negotiations or at fault for the disruption.
Veva Islas, president of the FUSD Board of Education, called on Community Medical Centers to take immediate action.
She urged them to stop turning away retirees, allow them to keep medical appointments, and continue seeing their providers, with reimbursement at the Medicare allowable amount.
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Islas also requested a contract extension to facilitate continued negotiations.