TR-2015-15 GRANT TO PERSONNEL -- - - v00°-0 - - - -
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TR-2015-15
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
OF MASSACHUSETTS
PURSUANT TO MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 44, SECTION 53A FOR AGAWAM PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
(Sponsored by Richard A. Cohen)
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam applied for and received a grant from
Blue Cross Blue Shield; and
WHEREAS, the Agawam Personnel Department desires to accept said
grant; and
WHEREAS, the grant is in the amount of five thousand 001100 ($5,000.00)
dollars;
WHEREAS, the Agawam Personnel Department.will use the funds as
authorized and awarded in compliance with the program to promote and support
wellness among the employees and retirees of the Town of Agawam, as well as
for any other lawful purposes said funds may be used for; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Town of Agawam to accept the
grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
NOW THEREFORE, the Agawam City Council hereby resolves pursuant to
M.G.L. c.44, §53A to accept this grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Massachusetts.
DATED THIS DAY OF , 2015.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Q �S
Christopher C. J on, President
APPROVED A FORM AND LEGALITY
To C4 RneentlF.-Oles6ia, Solicitor
('t' r C Zcc�cfz�Y
Cr�- Tr-eajahelt�
MAYORAL ACTION
Received this I day of P a10% ,2015 from Council Clerk.
Signed by Council President this . _day of ane n 2015.
APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agaw Charter, as
amended, I hereby approve the passage of the above legislation on this day of
2015,
x Zl-'
Richard A. Cohen,Mayor
DISAPPROVAL OF LEGISLA
MON
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as
amended, I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of
2015 for the following reason(s):
Richard A. Cohen,Mayor
RETURN OF LEG15 ATION TO COUNCIL CLERK
11 L ,
Returned to Council Clerk this f day of M_ aat� h ,2015.
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Town of Agawam Recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for
Strong Communications and Collaboration in Health Care Costs
BOSTON --- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross), has announced that the Town of Agawam is
one of the winners of its seventh annual Municipal Blue Innovation Awards.The award will be presented,
along with a$5,000 wellness grant, in Agawam on February 18, 2015.
"Municipalities choose us because we understand that as one of the largest line items in their budget,the
rising cost of health care is an increasing burden. By collaborating around inventive cost containment
measures, customizing worksite wellness programs, and creating innovative health plan designs,significant
savings can be achieved," said Larry Croes, Blue Cross'Vice President of Commercial& Municipal Markets.
"Agawam should be lauded for their efforts to advance the health of their workforce and town residents."
The Municipal Blue Innovation Awards highlight the new and inventive cost containment measures,
collaborative and customized worksite wellness programs, and innovative health plan designs utilized by
municipalities throughout the state.
The Town of Agawam recently converted their retirees to a new Medex drug plan,which led to a significant
savings for taxpayers.The retirees are represented in Agawam by a retiree association that works hard to keep
members engaged and informed about health care, an issue critical to the retirees. The Town also has an
Insurance Advisory Committee that works in collaboration with the Town to keep employees and retirees
aware of health care trends and devise strategies to control rising costs.Together the retirees association,the
Town and the Insurance Advisory Committee, coordinated through the dedicated efforts of a pro-active
Personnel Office, have worked hard to maintain the balance of good coverage for employees and rates of
increase.
"We are honored to partner with Blue Cross, as they offer a wide range of products and support our
communications efforts." said Mayor Richard A Cohen. "Our Town cares deeply about employee benefits and
the health and wellness of all our employees, retirees and our residents.The grant will allow us to continue to
create new and innovative initiatives for healthy living."
Blue Cross has been serving Massachusetts cities,towns and regional school districts and their families for
over 75 years, and 79 percent of MA municipal entities are Blue Cross customers. Blue Cross is committed to
partnering with Municipalities to reduce health care costs while improving the health of their employees. To
learn more about Blue Cross' Municipal Blue health plans and wellness options call:617-246-7500.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts(www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused,tax-paying, not-for-
profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are the trusted health plan for more than 31,500
Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to
make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million
members first,we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality.
Connect with us on Facebook,Twitter,YouTube and Linkedin.
1
TR-2015-15
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
OF MASSACHUSETTS
PURSUANT TO MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS
CHAPTER 44, SECTION 53A FOR AGAWAM PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
(Sponsored by Richard A. Cohen)
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam applied for and received a grant from
Blue Cross Blue Shield; and
WHEREAS, the Agawam Personnel Department desires to accept said
grant; and
WHEREAS, the grant is in the amount of five thousand 001100 ($5,000.00)
dollars;
WHEREAS, the Agawam Personnel Department will use the funds as
authorized and awarded in compliance with the program to promote and support
wellness among the employees and retirees of the Town of Agawam, as well as
for any other lawful'purposes said funds may be used for; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Town of Agawam to accept the
grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
NOW THEREFORE, the Agawam City Council hereby resolves pursuant to
M.G.L. c.44, §53A to accept this grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Massachusetts.
DATED THIS DAY OF ) 2015.
PER ORDER OF THE-AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Christopher C. J nson, President
APPROVED A T FORM AND LEGALITY
t -
Vncen ia, Solicitor
1 r��
MASSACHUSETTS
mn ana Ma WMM 0 r an hm$*clam
umrwa of ra Buo Owa Kd fun Or"PA0440M
Town of Agawam Recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts for
Strong Communications and Collaboration in Health Care Costs
BOSTON -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross), has announced that the Town of Agawam is
one of the winners of its seventh annual Municipal Blue Innovation Awards. The award will be presented,
along with a $5,000 wellness grant, in Agawam on February 18, 2015.
"Municipalities choose us because we understand that as one of the largest line items in their budget, the
rising cost of health care is an increasing burden. By collaborating around inventive cost containment
measures, customizing worksite wellness programs, and creating innovative health plan designs, significant
savings can be achieved," said Larry Croes, Blue Cross' Vice President of Commercial & Municipal Markets.
"Agawam should be lauded for their efforts to advance the health of their workforce and town residents."
The Municipal Blue Innovation Awards highlight the new and inventive cost containment measures,
collaborative and customized worksite wellness programs, and innovative health plan designs utilized by
municipalities throughout the state.
The Town of Agawam recently converted their retirees to a new Medex drug plan, which led to a significant
savings for taxpayers. The retirees are represented in Agawam by a retiree association that works hard to keep
members engaged and informed about health care, an issue critical to the retirees. The Town also has an
Insurance Advisory Committee that works in collaboration with the Town to keep employees and retirees
aware of health care trends and devise strategies to control rising costs. Together the retirees association, the
Town and the Insurance Advisory Committee, coordinated through the dedicated efforts of a pro-active
Personnel Office, have worked hard to maintain the balance of good coverage for employees and rates of
increase.
"We are honored to partner with Blue Cross, as they offer a wide range of products and support our
communications efforts." said Mayor Richard A Cohen. "Our Town cares deeply about employee benefits and
the health and wellness of all our employees, retirees and our residents. The grant will allow us to continue to
create new and innovative initiatives for healthy living."
Blue Cross has been serving Massachusetts cities,towns and regional school districts and their families for
over 75 years, and 79 percent of MA municipal entities are Blue Cross customers. Blue Cross is committed to
partnering with Municipalities to reduce health care costs while improving the health of their employees. To
learn more about Blue Cross' Municipal Blue health plans and wellness options call: 617-246-7500.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (www.bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-
profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We are the trusted health plan for more than 31,500
Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to
make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million
members first, we are rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality.
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Linkedln.
7TH ANNUAL
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AWARDS
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d �
The Municipal Blue Innovation Awards
Q
(or the Munis) highlight the new and
inventive cost containment measures,
collaborative and customized worksite
wellness programs, and innovative
health plan designs utilized by
municipalities throughout the state.
The awards will be presented, along
with a $5,000 wellness grant, to the
winners in ceremonies at their local
communities this spring. '
a
THE MUNICIPAL ADVISOR SPRING 2015
ti
..- ate__.i. .. •.. a
NEWii1 i i . r
CW
• `
Newburyport's collaborative efforts to seek out new,
innovative plan solutions to drive member engagement
and improve their health earned them a Muni.
CHELMSFORD
Chelmsford was awarded for their efforts in stabilizing cost
increases for the next three years.
6S
SHAWSHEEN VALLEY
• s }t ,,,,
Shawsheen Valley Technical School in Billerica earned their
Muni award for their successful wellness initiatives geared `
towards lowering health risks. ~'
�HOPKINTON
u,
Hopkinton earned an award for reducing costs for retiree r �
and active employees and encouraging healthy behaviors. r"
AGAWAM
Agawam was recognized for converting their retirees to a
new Medex drug plan which led to significant savings for
the taxpayers.
DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth was recognized for lowering their retirees' costs, y .
and for offering a robust educational wellness program which,
emphasizes proper emergency room use, including the benefits
of Blue Cross nurse managers and urgent care centers. —
The town also continues its efforts to build a sustainable
community.
5
THE MUNICIPAL ADVISOR ISPAING 2015