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Resident warns retirees face Feb. 28 health‑insurance cutoff; village manager says coverage reinstated
Summary
At a Feb. 25 University Park Board meeting a public commenter said retirees were told their health insurance would end Feb. 28; Village Manager Scott said he had met with Vista National and the retirees’ coverage had been reinstated but notification letters had not yet been mailed.
A public commenter told the University Park Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 that several village retirees had been notified their health insurance would be terminated on Feb. 28 and urged immediate action to prevent coverage losses.
“We have retirees that are going to lose their health health insurance as of February 28th,” the resident said, noting the retirees had received letters on Oct. 31 and Dec. 4, 2024, and urging the board to provide clarity and respect to long‑serving employees.
Village Manager Scott responded during the meeting, saying he had discussed the issue with Vista National and that the retirees’ insurance had been reinstated. Scott said formal letters notifying the retirees have not yet been mailed but that the board had given him “marching orders” and he would ensure notifications go out.
The exchange took place during the public‑comment period, when several residents raised questions about village communications and benefits. The board did not take a formal vote on any policy change during the meeting; instead the mayor asked for — and the board approved — a short executive session for personnel and litigation later in the agenda.
Why it matters: retiree health benefits are a material obligation for municipalities and can affect individual recipients’ access to care. Residents said the lack of timely notice created anxiety for seniors with underlying health conditions and asked for prompt written confirmation of coverage status.
What the board said: Manager Scott told trustees that the insurer had been engaged and coverage was reinstated but acknowledged that written notices still needed to be mailed. Trustees present (Trustee Lewis and Trustee mcfat were recorded moving and seconding an earlier motion) did not dispute the manager’s account during the meeting.
Next step: The board moved into a brief executive session later in the meeting for personnel and litigation matters; the manager said he would ensure retirees receive written confirmation of their coverage status.
