A key part of my platform is Improved Dental/Medical Coverage, which focuses on further expanding dental coverage, improving retiree medical benefits & ensuring broader access to essential healthcare services for all Stations employees. Healthcare is a basic right, and this initiative is about making sure that every member of our workforce has access to the medical and dental services they need—during their careers and into retirement.

Why Improved Coverage Matters

• Expanded Dental Coverage for Comprehensive Care: Many of us have experienced gaps in dental coverage that lead to out-of-pocket costs for essential services. Expanding dental coverage means including more preventive care, routine procedures, and treatments that are crucial for long-term health. According to the American Dental Association, untreated dental issues can lead to more serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke . By expanding our dental benefits, we’re not just improving oral health—we’re enhancing overall well-being.

• Enhanced Retiree Medical Benefits: As we near retirement, healthcare becomes even more critical. Many retirees face rising medical costs, and existing benefits often fall short of covering essential services. This initiative proposes improved medical benefits for retirees, ensuring that long-serving Stations employees have access to the healthcare they need without the financial burden. According to the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), healthcare expenses are one of the top concerns for retirees, and enhanced benefits can provide much-needed peace of mind .

• Broader Access to Essential Healthcare Services: Ensuring broader access to essential healthcare services is about more than just coverage—it’s about ensuring affordable, accessible & quality care. This initiative would make sure that all Stations employees have access to critical services like mental health care, vision, preventive screenings, and specialist visits. Comprehensive healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be a standard for all employees.

The Economic Impact

• Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenses: By expanding dental and medical coverage, this initiative would reduce the out-of-pocket costs that many employees face when seeking care. Whether it’s for routine dental work, specialist visits, or preventive screenings, having broader coverage will lessen the financial strain and make it easier to access necessary treatments. This is particularly important for families, who often face high medical and dental costs.

• Supporting Retiree Health and Financial Stability: Improved retiree medical benefits are crucial for supporting long-term financial stability. Healthcare costs can consume a significant portion of a retiree’s income, and providing enhanced coverage can help alleviate this burden. By securing better benefits for retirees, we’re ensuring that employees who have dedicated years of service can enjoy their retirement without the stress of medical bills.

• Preventing Health Issues and Lowering Long-Term Costs: Preventive care is key to reducing long-term healthcare costs. By expanding dental and medical coverage to include preventive treatments, we can catch potential health issues early, reducing the need for expensive treatments later. This not only saves money for employees but also helps maintain a healthier, more productive workforce.

Why it Matters Now

• Addressing Gaps in Current Coverage: The current dental and medical coverage has gaps that leave many of us paying out of pocket for important services. This initiative addresses those gaps by expanding coverage to include more comprehensive dental and medical care, ensuring that all employees can access the treatments they need. No one should have to choose between their health and financial stability.

• Supporting Employee and Retiree Health: As healthcare costs continue to rise, ensuring that employees and retirees have affordable and comprehensive benefits is more important than ever. Many employees are already feeling the financial strain of medical bills, and retirees are often the hardest hit. This initiative seeks to improve benefits so that everyone—from new hires to retirees—has access to the healthcare they need.

• A More Productive and Healthier Workforce: Healthier employees are more productive, and having access to better healthcare services means fewer sick days and better overall job performance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), workplace health programs that prioritize employee health lead to higher productivity and lower absenteeism rates . This initiative will help ensure that Stations employees can stay healthy and productive while reducing the stress of dealing with inadequate healthcare coverage.

A Commitment to Wellness

Improved Dental/Medical Coverage is about providing every Stations employee with the healthcare and dental benefits they need to live healthier, more secure lives—both during their careers and into retirement. By expanding coverage and improving retiree benefits, we’re making sure that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing essential healthcare services.

This initiative reflects our commitment to the long-term well-being of every employee. Together, we can push for these expanded benefits and ensure that everyone—whether working today or retired—has the support they need to stay healthy and thrive. Let’s make sure that access to healthcare is a right, not a privilege, for every member of the Stations workforce.