Stop the Rip-offs: Vote Jim McRitchie for CalPERS

im mcritchie will work to move benefit programs such as dental, vision, and savings plus from behind closed doors at the governor's department of personnel administration (dpa)<> Public employee benefit programs should not be viewed as potential slush funds.

DPA has shown it can't be trusted to administer benefit programs for California's public employees. Tens of thousands of state and local public employees were ripped-off when Delta Dental overcharged premiums for our dental plan by about $40 million at DPA's request.

We can be thankful that in 1994, CAPS, CASE and PECG sued DPA for over-charges between July 1, 1992, and Dec. 31, 1995, that violated provisions in union contracts.

The case was referred to arbitration where Norman Brand ruled the following: "In effect, the state took money it owed its employees as compensation and transferred it to Delta Dental as premium copayment. Then Delta was obliged to transfer that money back to the state because it exceeded the actual costs of the dental plan. Thus, the state was able to get both the time value and control of the money it would otherwise have had to pay to its employees." Refund checks will average between $210 and $260.

CAPS also charged DPA with mismanaging the state's vision care plan by unilaterally changing plan benefits, reducing payments to doctors and increasing out-of-pocket payments to state employees.

Don't wait for the next rip-off! Elect Jim McRitchie to the CalPERS Board and move administration of our benefit programs to CalPERS. Jim McRitchie will protect our benefit funds.

I want to know your concerns and I value your advise. Contact: Jim McRitchie at jm@perswatch.net or telephone 916-691-9722. Join our growing mailing list.