Westford’s current health insurance plan is being reconsidered by the Select Board and Health Insurance Trust due to rising health insurance and Medicare costs across the country. It is one of many Westford town-wide operating expenses that is on the rise.
Currently, Westford uses Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), which covers active town employees and non-Medicare retirees through “partially self-insured plans, under which the Town assumes most of the claims risk,” according to the Town of Westford Health Insurance Plan Review.
According to Select Board Chair, Chris Barrett, the current insurance model is “too expensive.” So, the Select Board and Health Insurance Trust are considering transferring to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which would cover less medical expenses in comparison with BCBSMA, although this decision is not final.
On Thursday, July 23, the Select Board held a listening session in the Stony Brook Middle School auditorium for Westford health insurance users to learn more information and ask questions. The audience was mainly retirees and town employees, the two demographics most impacted.
“This has been coming for years, starting with our budget override attempt a few years ago,” said Barrett.
His statement is in response to the town’s 2024 Spring election proposition 2 1/2 override, which did not pass.
“As a result we’ve had to make some really, really hard decisions, including laying people off,” Barrett said. “And unfortunately it [the town’s financial health] has not significantly improved … There’s so many competing [town] priorities. It’s very difficult to satisfy all of them.”
As with any potential change that impacts the wallet, opinions were had. The first to step up to the microphone was Tyler B. of the Highway Department.
“All that really says to me is that, if it changes, it’s going to punish the people who actually use it, and those are the people who need it the most,” he spoke “… shouldn’t be punishing people for using it and contributing, either retirees: portions of their lives, and for employees: portions of our day. It just sucks.” Tyler B’s words were met with strong applause from like-minded attendees in the audience. After which, others stood up to speak at the microphone too.
Melanie Jozokos, a teacher of 26 years at Westford Academy emphasized her worries for how this will affect those seeking mental health assistance. “I think my biggest concern is that people won’t seek the help that they need. I know at least in the schools we talk about mental health all the time with students and staff. I think that concerns me overall.”
An anonymous viewer commented on the Zoom meeting, asking whether the retiree coverage would be discontinued. Town Manager Kristen Las, who days later announced her registration, quickly assured attendees that “retiree coverage is absolutely not going to be discontinued.”
A former Town Manager and current PEC representative for the retirees in town, Jodi Ross, shared concerns at the microphone as well. “What I hear from retirees is that they’re afraid of having to change doctors, or change facilities, or drug benefits,” she said, “I think the unknown is what’s really creating a lot of angst … we need more time to be able to find out how this will impact us.”
Resident Tim Hall asked the board to consider increasing the town’s contribution should they switch to the GIC, citing, “Lexington, where they’re on the GIC, they pick up 80%. We only pick up 65%. Where we’re going to lose things like mental health coverage, and other things, it would be nice to get something out of it, anyway.”
Some residents shared distaste for the communication regarding these potential changes, such as Diane Wood. “I want to reinforce, and I’m sure everybody else does, the need for much greater communication, especially as it relates to the greater community.”
The opinion was echoed by other attendees, and even some of the Select Board made apologies and acknowledged the issue. Las said, “we want to continue public engagement. I will admit, from my standpoint, we may not have done the best job engaging our employees and our retirees and the public related to this. I see this action today as a reset to gain trust and confidence that we want to educate you all. We want to provide as much information as we can in a clear and concise manner, and we want to receive your input.”
Despite a vocally critical crowd, the Select Board made an effort to show they value the town’s employees, past and present. “On behalf of myself … and my board as well, we truly value your contributions to this community. Because of your efforts we have a wonderful community to live and raise our families in. So, thank you for that,” Barrett said.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the Aug. 5, 2026 print edition of The Westford Villager.
