tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post4704157207384330146..comments2024-03-26T00:25:34.026-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: How to win at chickenPaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-44701019137568782422013-10-25T09:53:12.521-04:002013-10-25T09:53:12.521-04:00Hi Alison,
The USPS is facing a financial crisis ...Hi Alison,<br /><br />The USPS is facing a financial crisis because Congress won't let them do the things they need to do to balance their books--after assigning them all those liabilities that were offered to employees when it was part of the government. Catch 22!<br /><br />A municipality cannot solve this problem in one year or even a few years. It will take a decade or more to build up the reserves necessary.<br /><br />I can't imagine how national health reform will mitigate the problem. There is really nothing in it that helps control costs.Paul Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-90197891695264525192013-10-25T09:28:51.036-04:002013-10-25T09:28:51.036-04:00Paul, I agree with your statement; "A better ...Paul, I agree with your statement; "A better plan would be to have the federal government impose the kind of standards it does on private companies, requiring localities to fully fund OPEB liabilities". However, isn't this one of the main reasons the United Sates Post Office is facing financial crisis? They are required to fully fund OPEB liabilities and it is pushing them towards bankruptcy. How can a municipality cope with the price-tag of doing this? Do you think national health care reform will help to mitigate this crisis?Alison Learynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-28995759923379183022013-10-24T12:14:54.938-04:002013-10-24T12:14:54.938-04:00Best thing a municipality can do is reduce retirem...Best thing a municipality can do is reduce retirement benefits.<br />Keep pay low, and raises minimal.<br />Constantly bring on fresh staff, and encourage them to leave after a few years to go to another town to complete their career.. and retire there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-25994740479582805692013-10-24T12:14:26.826-04:002013-10-24T12:14:26.826-04:00From Facebook:
A little appreciated issue. At lea...From Facebook:<br /><br />A little appreciated issue. At least in my town they have recognized the issue and have begun to fund the liability, but at a rate which will only slow the accumulating liability...at least it gives the town something to talk about to the rating agencies. To truly fund the liability over a reasonable length of time, though, the state legislature will need to create an exception to Proposition 2 1/2; otherwise, major reductions in essential community services will occur.Robert J. Cioleknoreply@blogger.com