Kin of MTA Workers Who Died of COVID Facing End of Line for Health Benefits

Three years of extended health insurance were included in a benefit package for families of MTA employees who died from COVID — but the insurance is set to end next month.

March 16, 2023 Jose Martinez, The City

The Fletchers lost their husband and father, MTA bus maintainer Joseph Fletcher, early in the pandemic. | Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

‘Never Forget’

Among state and city agencies, the MTA was particularly hard-hit during the pandemic — as of March 7, 2023, 177 employees had lost their lives due to COVID-19, according to a spokesperson. Most of the victims were subway and bus workers who kept the transit system going as the city grappled with a rampaging virus.

“We will never forget those who we lost to the pandemic,” New York City Transit President Richard Davey told THE CITY in a statement. NYCT is the MTA agency that operates the subways and buses. “Their extraordinary commitment offered New Yorkers access to jobs and healthcare during that difficult time.

“While nothing can replace the loss of loved ones, we hope the support provided by the MTA to the families was supportive and comforting.”

The state agency stressed that the medical coverage was, from the beginning, offered to survivors’ spouses and their dependents for three years after they were certified as eligible.

“If we didn’t have these benefits, we don’t know what we would have done,” said Robert Chumpitaz, 21, whose father Miguel, an MTA bus operator in Brooklyn, died April 9, 2020 at age 60. “If there’s any emergencies, the benefits have been there to help us out.”

But as the window begins to close, the issue of extending the health benefits could come into play in upcoming contract negotiations this spring between the MTA and Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents more than 30,000 transit workers.

Some union leaders are pushing for an extension during negotiations that will take place as the MTA faces its latest funding crisis.

“This should be something that everybody gets on board with, it shouldn’t be a contentious issue,” said JP Patafio, a TWU Local 100 vice president who represents Brooklyn bus operators. “I hope we can find a way with Albany and the MTA to continue to take care of these families.”

Contingency Plans

In the meantime, survivors have begun receiving letters notifying them of the looming end to the three years of health benefits — and the monthly premiums they would begin paying per month should they continue their coverage under COBRA.

That federal health benefits law extends employment insurance for a limited time, but costs more. After the allowed time period for COBRA coverage ends, the family would need Medicare or another provider.

“Words can’t describe the gratitude I have for the benefits we have had these years,” Fletcher said. “But COBRA for a family, I can’t imagine what those fees would look like.”

Chumpitaz said his family is appreciative of what the MTA has provided since his father died.

“We are grateful,” the college student said.

“But it’s not the same — I would rather have my dad.”

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