Edinburg AFT on April 2011 presented the ECISD School Board with 1,000 petition cards that employees filled out asking that something be done about the high costs of medicines. On Tuesday Oct 11, 2011 the school board voted on waving the deductible when employees purchased generic prescriptions. This is not as generous as the recommendation made by Edinburg AFT on the September 13th School Board meeting. The recommendation was to make all generic prescription drugs free to employees on the ECISD insurance. Nonetheless, waving the cost of the deductible when purchasing generic presciptions is a welcomed benefit, even if it did not go as far as Edinburg AFT and its members had hoped for! Your 1,000 signature cards helped the administration focus on ways to pass on an added benefit to employees of ECISD. The benefit will take effect on January 1, 2012. Blue Cross Blue Shield was given another 1 year contract for 2012. Last school year Edinburg AFT advocated for the lowering of the deductable for a doctor's visit and on November 2010 the school board voted to lower the doctor's visit down to $30 for all plans. Edinburg AFT wants to thank everyone who signed the petition cards and allowing their voices to be heard.