ABOUT US
About us.....
Who Are We?
United WE MATTER is a volunteer organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the benefits and pensions of retired Maryland public sector employees. If you worked for local or state government in Maryland we know your story because it is our story too. State Retirees took a job with lower pay, endured furloughs, wage freezes, layoffs and more based on the certainty of receipt of benefits during retirement.
United WE MATTER is the brainchild of a retired Maryland state employee, Ken Fitch, who after being confronted with the elimination of his (and 90,000 other State retirees) prescription drug coverage decided to fight back to keep the benefits that he and other State retirees had earned during their long years of employment with the State of Maryland.
We Matter Rally - Annapolis
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
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JOIN US
OUR HISTORY
In 2011, the State of Maryland eliminated prescription drug coverage for State retirees who were disabled or had reached the age of 65 or older. Maryland informed these state retirees in 2018 - Seven Years Later. In response, Ken Fitch created the WE MATTER RX Drug Coverage Group on Facebook, The group grew to over 3,000 members.
After being frustrated with the Legislative and Executive branches obvious attempts to defer the issue, Ken Fitch with three other state retirees, filed a complaint to stop the Enforcement of the law that eliminated their prescription drug coverage.
They were successful in obtaining an injunction and litigation continues.
Further research determined that States all over the country where eliminating benefits and reducing pensions of the elderly with impunity. Ken was determined that would not happen to Maryland State retirees and founded United We Matter to combat this trend.
"It always seems impossible until its done."
- Nelson Mandela
Ken Fitch, Founder and President of United We Matter.
Legislative Efforts continue.....
This effort by the State of Maryland to eliminate a well earned benefit was the beginning of state retirees' concern. What will they try to do next? And how will we stop them? What rights did State Retirees have to ensure the continuation of the benefits earned and paid for during their employment?
In response to those questions, Ken Fitch created United WE MATTER. United WE MATTER will be that mechanism State Retirees need to fight against any future threat to the benefits they earned. Our members are comprised of volunteer public sector retirees from the State of Maryland. Each volunteer retiree recognizes that it will be a battle to preserve what they have earned. The State has many weapons in its arsenal while waging war against its former employees. However, this does not deter United WE MATTER from waging this fight. We have the work ethic, the character and the determination to be victorious.
We are determined that lawmakers recognize that our years of service mattered, that our contributions to this State mattered, that now that we are in the twilight of our lives - WE MATTER.
UWM with Delegate Boteler - Maryland House of Delegates
The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
- Hubert Humphrey
TOGETHER WE CAN - HOW?
United We Matter Meeting
Attend A Meeting
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United We Matter, in conjunction with the Maryland RXdrug Coverage Facebook Group holds meetings around the State to inform Maryland State Retirees of the progress of the Lawsuit, Fitch v. Maryland as well as the legislative efforts to restore prescription drug benefits. (Due to Covid-19 restrictions, United We Matter now holds all meetings online. )
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United We Matter keeps its members apprised of the latest threats or challenges through the member section of this website and Facebook. We are exploring additional social media for expansion.
Fitch & Volunteers
Volunteer
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United We Matter mobilizes our team of volunteer state retirees to organize, identify and correlate state retirees to make a real difference.
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If you are housebound, Help us by contacting your state and local lawmakers to emphasize our commitment to preserving State retirees benefits.
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Maryland State retirees have already demonstrated their commitment by devoting years of service to the State. As they grow older the need for the services earned is needed more than ever. Community outreach makes a concerted effort to reach these retirees.
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Help United We Matter and Maryland State Retirees by contacting your local lawmakers and let them know of your support.
Rally for Legislation
Rally/ Legislative Efforts
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During the Maryland General Assembly session, once a week, United We Matter mobilizes to let our lawmakers know that they do not have the moral or legal authority to eliminate benefits that were earned by our years of service.
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Rallies are being coordinated in front of the Governor's mansion, the State Delegate House, the Senate Building and individual district offices of crucial lawmakers. Join United We Matter to see what can be accomplished when you get an impassioned team of State retirees to focus on the preservation of their public sector benefits they earned.