Health Insurance Council

The Health Insurance Council is made up of all the Health Insurance Liaisons who act as agents of the Board to provide liaison and advocacy in relation to the two health insurance programs: Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) and Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

Health insurance liaisons

Health Insurance is one of the more important recurring expenses for retirees. It also often turns out to be one of the more apparently complicated aspects of retirement what with changing Federal and State Policies and an annual open enrollment period. To address these health issues the ASURA Bylaws created the Health Insurance Liaisons to:

monitor existing health insurance programs for University retirees,
propose improvements in insurance programs, and
suggest actions that should be taken by the Association to provide the best possible health insurance coverage for its members.

Historically there have been two liaisons, one for the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) health insurance and one for the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) health insurance. These two liaisons make up the Health Insurance Council. The two liaisons work together to help ensure our members have the latest health insurance information.

Occasionally there will be legislation which impacts ASRS / ADOA Health Insurance. In such situations the Government and Health Insurance Councils work together and support or oppose the legislation as directed by the Board.

ASRS liaison

This material was prepared in March 2013 and includes input from Dick Jacob, ASRS Liaison.

General information

The ASRS Liaison is a member of both the Government and Health Insurance Councils. The liaison acts as agent of the Board to provide liaison and advocacy in relation to the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and health insurance offerings to retirees. Per the ASURA Bylaws, the Liaison is charged to exert influence on targeted agencies as approved by the ASURA Board and in consultation with the ASURA officers.

Membership

The Liaison serves at the pleasure of the ASURA Board.

ASRS meetings

Arizona State Retirement System Board of Trustees generally meets on the third Friday of the month (see the ASRS Board and Meeting Schedule for exact dates, times, and locations).

Liaison responsibilities (Dick Jacob)

In all actuality, my "job" as ASRS liaison wasn't very complicated. I went to the monthly Board meetings (and occasional committee meeting), listened carefully to what transpired and, with the help of the agenda book which all visitors were provided, wrote a report to the ASURA Board and membership on such things I thought were pertinent to our interests. Although I was registered (by Jerry Aronson) as a lobbyist, there was never an ASRS-related reason for me to act as such.

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