Define "retired employee health care benefits"  

The New York Times has an article "The Next Retirement Time Bomb" that
tells us that States, cities, school districts, water districts, etc
have promised their employees that they will pay for health insurance
after their retirements.

They did not keep track of the future cost -- and now are taking a
look -- and finding that they are in deep, deep trouble. (and so are
all of we taxpayers.)

Duluth Minnestota is typical. When they had an auditor determine how
much they will owe it came to $173 million.  The mayor said, "We can't
pay for it. The city is not going to function because it's just going
to be in the health care business."

The question is, "What health care benefits do retired persons need --
aside from Medicare?  I can understand that those who retire prior to
age 65 would need insurance but why after age 65?    Jbutton

supplemental insurance to cover what Medicare does not, such a
prescriptions (the new govt./private program is a confusing mess,
especially for the elderly), deductibles, and copays.