Judge Blocks NYC Mayor's Medicare Advantage Switch for Retirees, City to Appeal

A Manhattan Supreme Court judge has permanently banned New York City from switching its 250,000 retired employees and their dependents to a privatized Medicare Advantage plan managed by Aetna. The judge ruled in favor of the retirees, stating that the planned switchover violated guarantees of city-funded healthcare for active and retired city workers. The decision comes after the retirees filed a lawsuit to stop the switch, arguing that it would increase their healthcare costs and limit access to doctors. The ruling is seen as a victory for retirees nationwide who want to retain their traditional Medicare coverage.