It is with deep sadness and grief that we are informing you of the passing of our Vice President, GRC Chair, and friend, Lynnwood Guild President Mark Brinkman.  We first announced this in the Legislative Update and on our Facebook page last Monday, April 12.  

Mark had almost 35 years on the job, was active in his community and church.  Mark suffered a medical emergency at his home on Sunday night, April 11 and later died at an area hospital.  Anyone that had the opportunity to know Mark was lucky.  He was a good man and represented all that is good in humanity and the profession of law enforcement.  He will be missed. 

WACOPS’ subsidiary, Public Safety Employees Insurance, Inc is working with its new broker, LBG Advisors, to make sure you have an alternative to the State mandated Long Term Health Care Trust.  In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed the Long-Term Health Care Trust.  In short, the trust would be funded through mandatory payroll deductions, and those that vest in the program before they leave employment would be entitled to a very small ($100 per day for 365 days) insurance for their long-term care needs.  The State developed the program because most people are not covered for their long-term care needs and future burdens on the Medicaid system is expected to be financially crushing to the State. 

You have options!  WACOPS, along with employers and our friends at the WSCFF worked to get an amendment to the Trust this session.  The Trust will still go into effect in January of 2022, but employees will be able to opt out of the mandatory tax if they have a bone fide alternative long term care policy in place.  You will be required to opt out by November of 2021.  There are things to consider before you just jump to opting out and you will need to give any alternative serious consideration.  Even so, we believe you should have options and you should be the one to decide what long term care program is going to be best for you.