A staff writer at one of the local papers of record, the Daily Hampshire Gazette, finally picked up the story of a former long-time Northampton cafeteria worker who was told by Northampton Mayor Higgins that she had lost her health insurance eligibility retroactively. Apparently Doris Montgomery has taken legal action against the city to retain the benefits she was promised when she left the city’s employ in 2002. I’ve been following the issue here on Northampton Redoubt since May 2007. Below are the links to coverage of the issue, including an extensive four-part interview with Higgins.
Northampton Mayor Higgins on health insurance benefits (interview in four parts)
https://valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=2422
Higgins insurance policy draws fire
https://valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=4616
Citing long time practice as "folklore," Northampton Mayor Mary Clare Higgins canceled group health insurance coverage for an unspecified number of people
https://valleyadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?aid=2296
Former Northampton cafeteria worker loses health benefits without notice
https://valleyadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?aid=3991
Higgins block health insurance
https://valleyadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?aid=1149
Higgins off on health insurance policies
https://valleyadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?aid=1440
Former Northampton Human Resources Director Don Teres on Higgins’ new health insurance policy
https://valleyadvocate.com/blogs/home.cfm?aid=3970
Here’s a link to Fred Contrada’s April 6, 2008 article in the Springfield Republican, "Former Northampton cafeteria worker claims she was unfairly denied health plan."
