President's Message
Happy Spring Everyone!
This has been such a winter, with the loss of two special people - Bernal Baca and Nancy Kennedy. We feel the loss deeply, and send condolences to their families,
It was a very hectic legislative session and then the No Kings rallies happened, with more already in planning. Quite the winter!
But as the saying goes, we must Spring forward!
The Retiree Chapter Board is always looking to hear from our members on what activities interest you that you would participate in that we can put together. A Zoom Open House is being planned for May 13th just for that very reason. More information will be coming to you on this, and that is why once again I ask for your email addresses. I know emails can be tiresome to some people, but it is the most expedient way that we can reach you. So I am asking for you to contact Cortney Marabetta with your email address or an update on it.
I look forward to seeing you on May 13th and please enjoy your Spring!
In solidarity,
Merrilee Miron
President, AFT Washington Retiree Chapter
Legislative Update: The Senior Citizens Lobby
By Jim Howe, Director
The March 2026 meeting of the Senior Citizens Lobby is a typical good example of how active, diverse and educational this group is. The Retiree Chapter joined the Lobby in late 2025, which can provide opportunities to connect with both advocates and agencies working for Seniors.
- The WA Department of Social and Health Services reported on results from the WA Legislative session and healthcare budget issues.
- The League of Women Voters reported that 267 bills out of 1300+ passed in the short session. They explained detailed benefits of the Millionaires Tax (effective 2029), which will face a court challenge and maybe a voter initiative. They also gave details of budget cuts. One solution to a PERS/TRS1 permanent COLA won't come until 2034, when a richer pension fund opens up.
- Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action reported on the Federal partial shutdown and the dangerous SAVE Act. The Congressional Budget Office said that HR1 wiped out 12 years of the Medicare Trust Fund, 2052->2040. The successful WA passing of SJM8002 - Level the Playing Field for traditional Medicare, was mentioned. Also, the disastrous cutbacks at Social Security offices.
- The Long Term Care Foundation was introduced and described their work training Adult Family Home workers, and challenges with Medicaid funding.
- WA State Broadband Office gave a progress report from their new director.
- WA Association of Elder Law Attorneys described their work and encouraged Seniors to have Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Healthcare Directives.
- WA State Woman’s Commission described their work since 2019, and initiative on Women's health-related issues. They're looking for a 65+ woman to serve on their Board.
The next Senior Lobby (Zoom) Meeting will be on Monday, April 20, 2026 – all AFT Retirees are invited.
How WISeR (Doesn't) Work For Seniors
By Cortney Marabetta, Communications Speclalist
Last year, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced plans to begin the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model in 2026. The plan is troubling: it involves private companies using AI to process prior authorizations. While that has been a feature of Medicare Advantage, this program would bring the same process to Traditional Medicare, and will require a new prior authorization or pre-payment review process that Traditional Medicare has not had.
The entire point of WISeR, which is being rolled out as a test project in six states including Washington, is to let private, for-profit contractors use AI tools to decide whether seniors can receive treatments their doctors recommend. Worse, the contractors will be paid based on denials – more denials make them more money.
The AFT Washington Retiree Chapter is working to oppose this program and educate seniors about the impact of it. Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) and others are also in opposition, and we anticipate being able to join forces with both state and national organizations to push back.
In November of 2024, Rep. Kim Schrier, Rep. Rick Larsen, and Rep. Suzan DelBene, among others, introduced legislation in Congress to block this legislation. While it is unlikely that the legislation will pass prior to the midterms, there are other avenues open, and the Retiree Chapter is exploring them. Stay tuned for more information on this troubling change to Medicare – we want to stop it and ensure that seniors get the care they and their doctors feel they need, not the care that an AI and an incentivized contractor think they don’t.
If you are interested in getting involved in our effort to oppose WISeR, please contact Cortney Marabetta at cmarabetta@aftwa.org.