Aldermen Candidates Take Stance on Melrose's GIC Health Insurance Plan

Candidates for Board of Aldermen participated in the Melrose League of Women Voters Candidate Forums at the Roosevelt Elementary School earlier this month.

On Oct. 9, the candidates answered several questions submitted to the League of Women Voters prior to the forums. Melrose Patch will be presenting their responses in a series of stories leading up to the Nov. 5 election.

During the forum, the candidates were asked if they currently participate, or would participate, in the city's group insurance commission (GIC) health insurance plan, if elected. 

Michael Zwirko said, "...No, I do not participate in it because I'm not currently a member of the Board of Aldermen. However, if I'm fortunate enough to become a member of the board I would not take the health insurance."

Zwirko continued by saying he participates in his employer's health insurance plan, but "I'd also say that even if I didn't get a plan offered through my employer I still wouldn't take the (city's) health insurance."

"We talk about sacrifices that need to be made in the budget and it's one of the largest drivers of expenses at the municipal level," Zwirko said. "I don't plan on participating in it and I won't if I'm elected."

Monica Medeiros, a current member of the Board of Aldermen, stated that she doesn't participate in the GIC and will not if elected as an alderman-at-large.

"...People entrust us to manage the city budget and put the most important needs of our city first," she said. "They don't elect us because they want to pay for health insurance for us and for our families."

According to Medeiros, the cost of a family plan for health insurance is "more than three times what the Aldermanic salary is." Medeiros estimated that if all 11 Aldermen participated in the plan it would cost the city more than $150,000.

"I think we can spend that (money) better on many other things," she said. "We could put three teachers in classrooms."

Medeiros concluded by saying that there are other health insurance options available, including ones offered through the Commonwealth Connector program.

Jaclyn Lavender Bird, a current Alderman seeking reelection, said she doesn't participate in the GIC. 

"I do not believe it's something the city should extend to elected officials," she said. "We have a limited budget in the City of Melrose and we have other funding priorities."

Ronald Seaboyer, seeking reelection to the board, stated that he does participate in the GIC. "The state policies allow it, it's an excellent plan and I take part in it," he said. 

Like Seaboyer, Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis is a current Alderman participating in the city's health insurance plan. 

"It was a very difficult decision for myself and my family," she said, adding that she works part-time for two organizations that don't offer health insurance options to her. "...We've always received insurance through (my husband's) employer and last year his company was sold and we were left with a very inadequate, insufficient plan so I did begin taking it last year.

"I do feel that the use of my Aldermanic stipend toward paying the premium is somewhat of an offset in relation to the cost of it."

McAteer-Margolis finished by saying her family is looking at other options "now that we have the new Affordable Care Act, but we'll have to see how it all turns out."

George Doyle stated that he will not participate in the GIC program, adding that "it's not a campaign issue for me."

Donald Conn Jr., seeking reelection to the board, said he doesn't take the city's health insurance plan and doesn't plan to take it in the future.

Check back with Melrose Patch, as we'll continue to break down the Aldermen candidates' responses to questions fielded during the League of Women Voters' Candidate Forums.