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Post by judes on Aug 17, 2008 14:15:10 GMT -6
I just received some very sad news today. I work with a man who is employed by a company we contract services from at my place of employment. A very nice guy, he has worked for this American company for about 20 years.
Last year he developed cancer and underwent the traditional treatments and was told things were in remission. He struggled to come into work, out of sheer loyalty and dedication to his job, during the whole time he was being treated. Only to be turned on in the blink of an eye.
He was informed Friday that he would no longer have a job with the company as they are downsizing employees. This is an IT service firm, and I have witnessed the majority of this companies jobs being shipped over seas, as I am one who has to utilize these services. I must also add that these jobs are not being done with as much efficiency or productivity anymore having to deal with people over the phone who barely speak English. Well I could go on about that for a while, but it's getting off the point I wanted to make.
The point is, this poor young man has essentially been handed a death sentence with his walking papers. Along with job termination comes health benefit termination. There is no way this guy will be able to obtain health insurance with an existing case of cancer!! And now without a job there is no way he will be able to afford treatment. Don't even say Cobra, it is unaffordable for the majority of people in this country and is temporary. This is what our country has been reduced to. It disgusts me to the greatest degree!!!!!! Something has got to change, it's a disgrace and should be a crime that people are put in these situations.
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Post by psychecc on Aug 17, 2008 23:13:49 GMT -6
Judes, I'm so sorry to hear this. You're right in all you say about unaffordable health insurance in his situation. You have to wonder if he was terminated now because his cancer was costly. I know that isn't supposed to happen, but it's surprising how often I hear of people dragging themselves to work so they can stay insured, only to be let go for "other reasons."
Honestly, the rich and powerful seem to have no heart at all. Your young friend is just a number to them. It's so sad. I miss the days of powerful unions, corrupt or not. At least employees had some leverage.
Regarding your lump sum distribution problem, I wonder if it would help to call your Congressman or Senator and ask for help understanding the law? Or maybe try the head of the committee that was in charge of the legislation? I have found occasional interest in a problem if I get lucky enough to talk to a dedicated staffer.
My hope is that your company is "interpreting" the law in their favor (as I can't see where they're allowed to do this). If they are outside the law, I would think Congress would want to know this? I know, I'm naive to think they might care. Just a thought.
Sending you and your friend positive thoughts....
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Post by unlawflcombatnt on Aug 18, 2008 9:19:58 GMT -6
I just received some very sad news today. I work with a man who is employed by a company we contract services from at my place of employment.... Last year he developed cancer and underwent the traditional treatments and was told things were in remission. He struggled to come into work, out of sheer loyalty and dedication to his job, during the whole time he was being treated. Only to be turned on in the blink of an eye. He was informed Friday that he would no longer have a job with the company as they are downsizing employees.... The point is, this poor young man has essentially been handed a death sentence with his walking papers. Along with job termination comes health benefit termination. There is no way this guy will be able to obtain health insurance with an existing case of cancer!! And now without a job there is no way he will be able to afford treatment. This is a really sad story. I do have one suggestion, however. Maybe this young man could be treated at a county facility. I don't know if this is an option in your part of the country or not. But in Los Angeles County, there are some large county medical centers that treat patients with no insurance. LA County-USC Medical Center is one such facility. They take indigent patients, as well as non-indigent patients who don't have insurance. And they don't require full payment up front. My wife's late boss was able to get treatment for laryngeal cancer at County-USC Med Ctr because he had no insurance, even though he was fairly well off financially. County facilities certainly aren't the most fun places to go, but they do provide good medical care in many cases. In this young man's case, it is certainly worth looking into. County facilities are much more likely to take someone who already has a serious medical problem, like cancer.
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Post by judes on Aug 18, 2008 15:41:44 GMT -6
...You have to wonder if he was terminated now because his cancer was costly. I know that isn't supposed to happen, but it's surprising how often I hear of people dragging themselves to work so they can stay insured, only to be let go for "other reasons. Sadly the same thoughts crossed my mind. Honestly, the rich and powerful seem to have no heart at all. Your young friend is just a number to them. It's so sad. I miss the days of powerful unions, corrupt or not. At least employees had some leverage. Agreed. Even though I am not a union member, working as a salary worker in a union facility, I can attest to the fact our manufacturing facilities demise would have happened much quicker, many many years ago, without them putting up resistance all along the way. Sadly I fear the Union has now been rendered impotent. Thanks for the thoughts guys. I appreciate it. I don't know of a county facility around here but I will check it out, sounds like a good idea.
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Post by psychecc on Aug 19, 2008 14:55:47 GMT -6
Even though I am not a union member, working as a salary worker in a union facility, I can attest to the fact our manufacturing facilities demise would have happened much quicker, many many years ago, without them putting up resistance all along the way. Sadly I fear the Union has now been rendered impotent. As a former teacher, I felt we had a fairly ineffective union, but at least there was some bargaining power when contracts were negotiated. Sometimes it seemed like the union was too friendly with management, but again, something is better than nothing. I agree with you that the union is impotent. Union membership is down dramatically since its heyday in the 70s. To a great degree, workers have only themselves to blame for listening to the lies of owners who painted pretty pictures of how much better things would be for workers without meddling unions. How stupid do you have to be to believe business will honor any promises they made to workers once the union is voted down? It reminds of that quote about how DICK Cheney said shortly after they won the White House that things had to be said to get there, but now that they were in, they certainly didn't have to make good on all those things. Sorry I can't remember the exact quote. Thanks for the thoughts guys. I appreciate it. I don't know of a county facility around here but I will check it out, sounds like a good idea. I hope you can find a county hospital. Hang in there Judes.
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