Letter from Mary Anne Whelan PhD, MD

Confidence Undermined

Thank you for printing Jan McGrath’s letter, which perfectly summarizes the problems with the letter that all senior Bassett retirees received regarding increasing the costs of our supplemental medical coverage (“Bassett Halts Changes to Retiree Benefits,” issue of December 12, 2024).

Those of us over the age of 60 and with 20 years of Bassett employment had, at retirement, received a written pledge that there would be no increase in costs to us going forward. We were therefore dismayed to receive notification of increased charges. However, one might conclude from your article that Bassett has permanently reconsidered that step. In fact, Bassett has merely apologized for premature notification and very probably intends to increase the cost in the future.

As stated by McGrath, upon retirement after 20 years as a full-time staff member we had a signed statement (as did she, and many others) stating that there would be no increase in fees for our retirement benefit of supplemental medical insurance. To override that constitutes a breach of contract. It also undermines any confidence one might have in Bassett statements going forward.

Mary Anne Whelan PhD, MD
Cooperstown