If the proposed legislation described below is not enacted, we must advise you that, after December 31, 2016, there will be insufficient assets to continue the benefits now provided by your health care Plan. Because of recent coal industry bankruptcies and a significant decline in hours worked by active employees (on which contributions to the 1993 Benefit Plan are made), beginning January 1, 2017 the 1993 Benefit Plan will not be able to provide you with the health benefits that you have been receiving from the Plan and those benefits will be discontinued. In addition, your Funds health services card will no longer be valid.
The U.S. Congress is considering proposed legislation, called the Miners Protection Act of 2016, that would provide funding from the Federal government for the UMWA 1993 Benefit Plan to continue into the future the benefits that you now receive. The United Mine Workers of America International Union (UMWA) and the Bituminous Coal Operators Association (BCOA), which represents employers who contribute to the Plan, have joined in supporting this proposed legislation and have worked with members of Congress from both political parties to gain passage of this measure. The bill has bipartisan support from a number of Senators and members of the House of Representatives, and it is supported by the Obama Administration. The legislation has not yet been taken up for a vote in either House of Congress, however, and there remains considerable uncertainty whether the legislation will be enacted.
Accordingly, it is our duty to advise you to seek other health care coverage to begin January 1, 2017. Depending upon your individual circumstances, there may be several options available to you to obtain health insurance or other health care coverage, including Marketplace Insurance under the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid or Veterans Benefits. In addition, the UMWA Health & Retirement Funds will host meetings during November to provide information regarding these options and steps you should take to obtain alternative coverage. The times and places of these meetings are provided below:
- Beckley, West Virginia Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016
9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center
200 Armory Drive, Beckley, WV 25801
- Charleston, West Virginia Friday, Nov. 18, 2016
9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm Charleston Civic Center
200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV 25301
- Uniontown, Pennsylvania Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016
9:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm Hilton Garden Inn
555 Synergy Drive, Uniontown, PA 15401
- Ebensburg, Pennsylvania Monday, Nov 14, 2016
9:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-3:30pm Young Peoples Community Center (YCCP)
300 Prave St., Ebensburg, PA 15931
- Indiana, Pennsylvania Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016
9:30am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-3:30pm Rustic Lodge
2199 Oakland Ave, Indiana, PA 15701
- Carterville, Illinois Friday, Nov 18, 2016
9:00am-11:30pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm Carterville Community Center
Fred G. Harrison Annex, 120 North Greenbriar Rd., Carterville, IL 62918
- Evansville, Indiana Thursday, Nov 17, 2016
9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm
(Central Time) Vanderburgh Co. 4-H Center Banquet Hall
201 East Booneville-New Harmony Rd., Evansville, IN 47725
- Price, Utah
Wednesday, Nov 9, 2016
9:00am-1:00pm UMWA Building
525 East 100 South, Price, Utah 84501
