What's at stake?
Community Medical Centers temporarily restores access for retirees' physician visits and prescription refills through Feb. 20.
Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her says Community Health System agreed to temporarily restore office visits and prescription refill services to about 1,500 FUSD retirees on Medicare— who abruptly lost health care access on New Year’s Day amid stalled contract talks between the hospital system and an insurance company.
Her gave the news to the FUSD school board during Wednesday night’s regular meeting.
“This morning, our district team and FTA president Manuel Bonilla met with Community leadership, Her said. “As a result, Community Medical Centers has agreed to an extension of access for retirees, covering physician visits and prescription refills through February 20.”
The deal comes a day ahead of a meeting of the district’s Joint Health Management Board, where a potential vote remains on the table to expand access to alternative options for the district retirees.
District officials pressured the hospital this week, with the president of the Fresno teachers union accusing the hospital system of treating retirees as “bargaining chips” amid contract negotiations with insurance provider Aetna.
