UFT statement on judge's healthcare decision

The city's new healthcare program can be implemented as planned, starting January 1, 2026, for 750,000 city employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their families, according to a ruling today by New York State Supreme Court Justice Lyle Frank.

The health plan-called the New York City Employees PPO Plan (NYCE PPO) - preserves high-quality, premium-free health care for city workers, maintains current benefits, retains current doctors, and expands the overall number of health care professionals in the network.

The judge denied a request for a preliminary injunction sought by Hands Off NYCare, an organization that sought to pause the program's Jan. 1 start date while it pursues a court case against New York City to scuttle the new health plan. Frank did not rule on the merits of the Hands Off NYCare case.

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew applauded the decision.

"This plan locks in premium-free health care for five years while expanding benefits, mental health coverage, and the number of available health care professionals in New York and across the nation. This was possible because union members - the people who will actually use this health coverage, the patients - were at the table negotiating it. We look forward to our members and city workers having these expanded health benefits starting on January 1," Mulgrew said.

The UFT's Delegate Assembly endorsed the proposed health care plan in September with 78 percent support. The city's Municipal Labor Committee (MLC), representing city labor unions, also overwhelmingly endorsed the plan.

The new plan will be offered jointly by EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare to current city workers, pre-Medicare retired city workers, and their families.

The case is civil State Supreme Court Index #164234.