LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 157

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HUMAN CARE 157

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures 7-10
and 7-11 to rename the Board for Social Ministry Services.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Continue Concern for Synodical
Retirees and Their Spouses

RESOLUTION 7-10
Overtures 7-60A-E; 7-62 (CW, pp. 268-69)

Wuereas, Genuine concern continues for the economic
burdens carried by synodical retirees and surviving
spouses; and

Wuereas, Such concern follows the scriptural encour-
agement to especially care for the household of faith; and

WHEREAS, Some within the Synod have suggested rais-
ing the monthly benefits for synodical retirees from a min-
imum of $250 to $500; and

Wuereas, Such an increase would necessitate a special
appeal to raise an estimated $44 million in funds from
outside the synodical budget; and

WueErEas, Some have suggested that surviving spouses
of synodical retirees would benefit greatly from the rein-
statement of no-cost participation in the Concordia Health
Plan; and

Wuereas, Such no-cost participation would require a
financial reserve of over $16 million which is beyond the
means of the Plans; and

Wuereas, The Board of Directors of the Synod and the
Board of Managers—Worker Benefit Plans continue to
show active concern for synodical retirees and surviving
spouses, especially those experiencing economic hardship,
as the board intentionally seeks the following:

1. To identify through District Presidents those who are
in special need of assistance through the Support Bene-
fits Program

2. To extend during years of good investment earnings
additional benefits to synodical retirees at the mini-
mum benefit level

3. To pursue every means possible to increase the benefits
of retired workers and surviving spouses

4. To respond to special exceptional needs with a willing-
ness to be of service and assistance; therefore be it

Resolved, That the present monthly minimum benefit
to retirees remain fixed at the current rate; and be it
further

Resolved, That reinstatement of no-cost participation
by the spouses of retirees in the Concordia Health Plan
not take place; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod and
the Board of Managers—Worker Benefit Plans be directed
to continue their ongoing efforts to assist those with ex-
ceptional financial hardship due to minimal retirement
benefits; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod and
the Board of Managers—Worker Benefit Plans be directed
to continue pursuing all avenues of funding to increase

benefits for retired workers and surviving spouses; and be
it finally

Resolved, That District Presidents encourage the con-
gregations in their District to assist retired workers and
their families who are in need.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Encourage District Support
of Ministries Adversely Affected
by Concordia Health Plan Rates

RESOLUTION 7-11B
Overtures 7-65—70 (CW, p. 269-70)

WHEREAS, Higher medical costs resulted in the new rate
structure of Concordia Health Plan (Jan. 1, 1989) that most
adversely affected congregations in urban areas; and

Wuereas, These urban congregations, often with school
ministries and multiple staff, are least able to bear such
large increases in health coverage; and

WHEREAS, These urban churches and schools are often
in areas of highly mobile populations where their financial
growth potential is limited, functioning more as mission
stations than traditional congregations; and

Wuereas, The Board of Managers of the Concordia
Health Plan recognizes the burden new rates place on some
ministries but feels these rates are the best alternative to
maintain the viability of the plan; and

WuHeEnreEas, Continuing the old rate structure of the Con-
cordia Health Plan (pre-Jan. 1, 1989) would have threat-
ened the financial viability of the plan or necessitated
major increases to the plan because of employers with-
drawing from the plan to purchase lower cost coverage;
therefore be it

Resolved, That Districts be encouraged to create equi-
table procedures within their own Districts to assist those
ministries most adversely affected; and be it further

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed to
explore the possibility of networking among Districts so
that those Districts with lower rates will be able to assist
those with higher rates; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Mission Services be di-
rected to consider assistance to the burdened ministries;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Managers of the Concordia
Health Plan evaluate the present rates and explore ad-
ditional alternatives that would keep rates as reasonable
as possible while providing adequate benefits to enrollees
and financial stability to the Concordia Health Plan. Such
alternatives shall include but are not limited to

a. returning to the pre-Jan. 1, 1989, rate structure;

b. establishing geographic rates based on the rate for an
entire church District rather than smaller ZIP code
areas, thereby sharing cost fluctuations;

c. establishing transitional rates that would gradually
move congregations from the old rate structure to the
new; and be it finally