Resolution 010586

..Title Calling upon Mayor John F. Street and the City Administration to fully extend health benefits and explore the differences in compensation to municipal employees who are called into active duty in the National Guard or other reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. ..Body WHEREAS, Our country is in a state of national emergency due to the terrorist attacks which occurred on September 11, 2001; and WHEREAS, Many of our public employees who serve in the National Guard or other reserve components of the Armed Forces may be called into active duty; and WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia provides health care benefits for such armed forces reservists for only thirty days while in active duty status; and WHEREAS, Certain medical facilities and physicians may not accept the various armed forces health care plans, and dental, vision and prescription benefits may vary significantly which can create barriers to health care and increase the cost of health care for the spouse and dependents of the reservist; and WHEREAS, The difference in pay while in active military duty may also be significant and may impose a financial hardship on the reservist's family; and WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and many private sector employers have extended full benefits to state and private sector employees who are called into active duty; and WHEREAS, City employees who are called into active military duty during this time of national emergency should not have to worry about health care coverage for their spouse and dependents and the City should fully explore the differences in compensation and assess how to provide for this potential loss of income; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the we call upon Mayor John F. Street and the City Administration to fully extend health benefits and explore the differences in compensation to municipal employees who are called into active duty in the National Guard or other reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. ..End ??