By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Retired Massena Memorial Hospital employees came before the Board of Managers for the second time in less than a year to voice opposition to increasing health insurance rates.

Nancy Faucher, a retired MMH registered nurse, said she received a letter indicating the price would rise $152 per month for a single-person plan and $39 for a two-person plan.

“$155 a month is significant to us. We just had it raised in March. It’s not even annual, and it went up more than before,” she said Monday, adding that about 15 people will be affected.

At the January MMH board meeting, Faucher and several other retirees asked the board to reconsider as $150 per month hike for a single-person plan and just under $400 for two people. At the time, MMH CEO Robert Wolleben said that’s to match the national percent of the premium employers pay to their retirees.

Right now, MMH retirees pay 30 percent of the cost, but would pay more than that once the increase kicks in Jan. 1.

“We’re here to see if we can get the single employee back to 30 percent,” Faucher said Monday.

No board members addressed her concerns.

“Thank you for your comments,” board Chair Scott Wilson said.

Faucher said although they have the option to get coverage on the state exchange, it’s even pricier.

“It’s unbelievable. The deductible is $2,500 to $5,000,” Faucher said.

See story for more information on the previous increase.