Newsletters

March 2006

From our President's Desk

Benefits under siege? Apart from the growing volatility in health care costs (see Mike Paden's column), I never gave the pension-side of UM benefits much thought. Not until the article that appeared in our local paper on January 28.

In response to this salvo fired by our new curators, Ken Hutchinson, vice president for human resources, assured the Board that the cost of our retirement system compares favorably with other schools, adding that its cost is just below 7 percent of payroll, compared to an average of 10 percent at other universities. Hopefully, the facts provided by Ken will quiet the assault on our pension system. But don't bet on it. President Floyd said that the three curators' concerns over employee benefits would be taken into consideration before the proposal addressing tuition and fee increases is submitted for a final vote in March.

Retirees and folks approaching retirement are acutely aware of the cultural shift in America away from corporate and institutional pension benefits. Corporations say it's an effort to compete with foreign companies that, historically, have provided little or no benefits for their employees. It remains to be seen what arguments institutions of higher learning might come with. We're already seeing many colleges dodging benefit responsibilities by employing more part-time faculty and staff. Will UM be next to go down that road of effective out-sourcing?

On a more cheerful note-in this, my last letter as MURA president, I wish to thank members of our Board of Directors for their tireless attention to things for our common good, and all MURA members for supporting our many activities.

With all good wishes,
Tom Freeman

Nominees for election to Board of Directors

Our nominating committee is pleased to offer the following nominations for election to Board membership at our Annual Business Meeting on March 29, 2006. Terms begin July 1,2006.

Respectfully submitted,
Charles Cramer, Chair
Gary L. Smith,
G.B. Thompson

President elect and Program Chair (l-year term) Jo Behymer

Assistant Associate Professor of Business Education at MU, Assistant Associate Dean of College of Education, Assistant Provost, Consultant to the Provost (1971-1999); retired in 1996. Chancellor's Retiree of the Year Award (2005); Co-Director, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Mentoring Program (2001present); MU Retirees Association, Board of Directors (2004-present); MU Office of Development Campus Campaign Leadership Team (200S-present); Mid Missouri Committee of Legislative Information Network Committee (LINC) (2002-present); SuccessLink Advisory Committee member (1996-present); University Club President (2001-2003), Board of Directors (1999-2006); MU Eldercare Community Advisory Committee Chair (1999-2001); Columbia Schools Foundation Board (2004-present).

Member at large (staff) (3-year term) Kee Groshong

From 1965 to retirement in 2002: Assistant to MU's Director of Accounting, Accounting Services manager, Director of Business Services, Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services; Barbara S. Uehling Award for Administrative Excellence (1988); Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board chair (1998-1999), Citizen of the Year Award (2002); Regional Economic Development Inc. Board chair (2002). Presently: Mizzou Credit Union Board chair, First Baptist Church treasurer, Columbia South Rotary Club, Columbia Railroad Advisory Board, MO. River Valley Steam Engine Association board, Chamber of Commerce committees, University Club board, MURA Board of Directors. Hobbies include travel and restoring antique fann tractors. Married to Columbia native Diana, sharing two children and two grandchildren-all of Columbia.

Treasurer (2-year term) Bob Marshall

University of Missouri Instructor (1960-61); Assistant Professor (1961-65); Associate Professor (196S~70); Professor (1970-1989); Arbuckle Professor (1989-2000); Professor Emeritus (Jan 1, 2000). Chair of the Food Science Program, Director of Graduate Studies, Undergraduate Advisor Chair, Director of the Arbuckle Ice Cream Program and the Sales Operations; Coach Dairy Products Evaluation Team. CAFNR Placement Committee Chair, Advancement Committee, Recruitment Committee, Dean Selection Committee. Departmental Scholarship Committee Chair. American Dairy Science Association Award of Honor (1996), Fellow (1997); University of Missouri Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award (1998), International Association for Food Protection Educator Award (1999).

Member at large (faculty) (3-year term) Ray Rothenberger

US Army during the Korean war; MS and PhD from MU. Joined MU's Department of Horticulture in 1968. For almost 30 years served in teaching and extension areas as well as department chair. Faculty-Alumni Award (1995). Wrote weekly Columbia Daily Tribune column on gardening and hosted KFRU Saturday program on gardening until retirement in 1998. Continuing regular appearance on Pepper and Friends on KOMU-TV. Mid-America regional editor for Flower and Gardening magazine for 15 years; presently Better Homes and Gardens consultant; Garden Writers Association Board of Directors; pianist at MURA's annual Holiday Luncheon sing-along. MU's Concert Committee; First Christian Church Elder and Board member. Hobbies: Travel with his wife, Barbara; piano lessons after a 30-year hiatus in an effort to hone his skills in classical music.

Retiree Medical Program

by Mike Paden

For the last three years, retirees enrolled in the UM Retiree Indemnity Medical Program have experienced very favorable premium increases as compared to the overall health care market. Changes in premiums for 2004, 2005, and 2006 were 0%, 5%, and 0% respectively. This has certainly been welcomed news for retirees as well as for our University.

Since over 50% of the costs of our Retiree Indemnity Medical Program are attributable to prescription drugs, it is important for retirees and our University to work together to purchase drugs in an efficient, yet medically effective, environment.

For several years, your health care program has promoted the use of generic drugs. This is done by offering lower co payments for these medications. This process has saved money for the plan as well as for retirees. Beginning in January 2006, the health care program expanded this effort through implementation of a step-therapy program. This program promotes the use of therapeutic substitution which, in itself, creates an opportunity for greater use of generics and lower costs.

While prescriptions in effect on January I, 2006 are not affected by this step-therapy program, retirees can, voluntarily, consider some of the therapeutic substitution alternatives that are available. Express Scripts can assist retirees in this process.

The use of generics has been important historically. However, it will gain new momentum over the next five years as over $50 billion worth of branded drugs (nation-wide) will lose patent exclusivity. In the next year alone, $11 billion in drug sales are expected to lose patent exclusivity, with generic alternatives becoming available for at least fifteen branded drugs.

This volume will create additional opportunities for retirees to better manage drug costs. Working with Express Scripts, UM will advise our retirees as these opportunities become available and assist in the transition process.

International Opportunities for MU Retirees

by John Parker

Retired faculty teaching participation in MU's Lifelong Learning Program and other community continuing education programs indicates that we retirees like to stay involved in academic pursuits. What would you think about doing some short-term teaching in another country. This is to let you know that efforts are currently being made to expand short-term teaching opportunities to an international level. Recent discussions have taken place with two universities on the eastern coast of Thailand regarding the possibility of short-term teaching assignments for retired University of Missouri professors. At this point, 'short term' would entail a minimum of eight weeks.

Thai universities have expressed a need for instructional expertise in such areas as computer technology, business, community development, tourism, sociology, psychology, dairy science, English literature, and international relations. Administrators in these institutions have suggested they would consider other subject areas as well. Courses would, of course, be taught in English.

Host institutions would provide airfare for both instructor and spouse, in country transportation, and comfortable housing. In most cases, teaching would be as a volunteer with no honorarium. Please keep in mind that food costs in Thailand are very inexpensive. If initial efforts are successful, an attempt will be made to create a corps of retired volunteers for international service, expanding into other countries and recruiting retirees from other American universities. MURA President, Tom Freeman, suggests that this could be a very rewarding experience to anyone wanting to experience to anyone wanting to experience an international teaching assignment and a change of pace. For additional information contact John Parker at 573-442-5215 or Tom Freeman at 573-445-5427. Those who have an interest in learning more about possible opportunities should call either John or Tom by April 1.

Chancellor's Retiree Advisory Committee

by John Bauman

This committee, voting members of which consist of active faculty and staff, serves at the pleasure of our Chancellor. In addition to selecting recipients of the Chancellor's Retiree of the Year awards, this committee provides a forum addressing retirement benefits and concerns and communicates those concerns to our Chancellor. Steven Lambson, of the Law School Library, is the current chair. It is important for this committee to be aware of retirement benefits. Members are not only destined for eventual retirement themselves, but also are involved in the recruiting of new staff and faculty. UM's benefits and retirement plans play an important role in attracting new people. MURA members should feel free to contact members of this committee as well as Staff Council and Faculty Council so that recommendations to the administration can be developed

The Aging Front

by Ann Gowans

The February meeting of the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging met in Jefferson City to discuss the needs of elders. The Advisory Council is a body whose 27 members are appointed by the Governor and installed after ratification by the Legislature. They represent both older and younger Misssourians who are interested in the care and needs of elders in the state. I represent the Mid-Missouri area.

We heard reports on Home-delivered meals and congregate meals (i.e., those served at Area Agency on Aging Meal sites). AAA regions have requested a state budget for home-delivered-meals of $600,000, which has been proposed for the next state budget, along with an additional $400,000 to help cover the increase in need.

Brenda Campbell, Director of the Division of Health and Senior Services for Missouri, reported that due to the large number of layoffs last March and the transfer of Consumer Directed Services (from the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education Vocational Rehab) the case-load increased considerably.

Brenda has reorganized the department to work through a centralized Registry Unit. This will allow the frontline staff to remain in their offices while assessment teams cover the various regions to help alleviate case load pressures.

Eric Feltner, Assistant to the Lt. Governor for Senior Affairs, provided an update on the Missouri Rx prescription drug outreach and the possibility of creating a clearinghouse and web site for drug comparisons. The Lt. governor's web site has information on energy savings.

Erik also indicated that the Assisted Living legislative caucus held their hearings during this week. This is an issue very dear to our hearts because our Advisory Council began the push years ago for the definition, regulation, and oversight of Assisted Living. We now have the support of AARP with this bill.

Erik also told us about the data reporting program the AAAs would be using (NAPIS), and said that the Long Term Care insurance bill will raise their deductible from 50 to 100%, which will be reported in The Senior Report to be released in May 2006. The Governor's office is also looking at all state boards and commissions. There will likely be an Executive Order to formally recognize the GAC.

Jean Leonatti informed the GAC about the upcoming Summit on Aging and Health to be held March 27-29. Those interested in attending should contact Jean Leonatti, Director of Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging. Jean also informed the GAC that there is now $600,000 in the budget recommended by the Governor for meals, and she distributed a flyer listing priorities.

A meeting of the Aging Federation was also held recently in Jefferson City. The Aging Federation consists of representatives from all groups and businesses in the state who are interested in elder issues and care. Ken Schneeberger and I are MURA representatives to the Federation. Erik Feltner again met with the Federation and reported that hearings on the House Assisted Living bill were going well in spite of the expected push-back from the Missouri healthcare Association. He said that the Lt. Governor is a supporter of this bill and that the strategy will be worked out to see it through the vote in spite of the opposition.

Various problems with the Missouri Rx and the Senior Rx programs were discussed. There are currently 140,00 Missourians who are eligible in both programs, but somehow the federal government missed about 14,000 of them. The Governor issued an emergency order to cover these 14,000 Missourians and to restore them to Medicaid coverage so they can obtain needed prescriptions.

There have been problems getting some pharmacies to utilize the Well Point emergency process. It is also worth noting that Missouri pharmacies who expect to work with Missouri Medicaid are also required to wrap around Missouri Rx, but not everyone understands this change.

The Health Connection

Do you know that MU's School of Health Professions has a community well ness and research center? The Health Connection is conveniently located at Parkade Center, Suite 219. Discounts are available for MU employees and retirees. For more information, phone 573/882-1718.

fitness classes
full gym
exercise research studies
personal training
massage therapy
cholesterol and glucose screenings
blood pressure punch card
vaccinations

Tiger Express Program at Student Recreation Complex

Participation in the new Tiger Express Program offers access to the SRC six days a week, Monday-Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Program members must exit the facility at or before 12:30 p.m. or charges for full membership will be activated. Rate: $20/month or $240 single payment-a 50% reduction off regular $30/month. Payment Options: Payroll Deduction, Credit/Debit, or Check. Tiger Express Program disallows rental of locker-and-shower option.