RBL retirees losing medical benefits

[Anonymous]

Well came home today from toiling at my cubicle and had a letter from corporate.
Guess what former RBL employee / future retiree are told

We have decided to cancel your medical benefits.
In our drive to cut costs and F*** you, we have decided to NOT offer you medical benefits after July 1, 2014.

This will be great for executive management to have larger bonuses and we thank you.

You can go on ObamaCare and be out of our hair because we don't give a S*** about YOU.
We just want you to go away.

We will give you a little cash, sure to be a fraction of what LH saves.
But you can go on an exchange and enjoy your life

Oh and if the cost of that medical plan is more than we give you, well you can take money out of the pension that we stole. Oh yea, sorry, we ended that to

Another giant step downward, to becoming the McDonalds of Health care.
lowest pay, no benefit, company.

Thank you Dave King
I'll be sure to tell every new employee I can, to LEAVE, get OUT NOW!
Go to some other, any other company, for a career

 

[Anonymous]

Go back and reread this. It only applies to people that are eligible Medicare…..the plan remains in effect for those retirees that are not yet eligible for Medicare.

 

[Anonymous]

A company is not your daddy, pay for you own crap! Quit looking for someone to take care of you.

 

[Anonymous]

A company is not your daddy, pay for you own crap! Quit looking for someone to take care of you.

Well said! Quit looking for a hand out!

 

[Anonymous]

Well said! Quit looking for a hand out!

Ease up a bit. This was a commitment the company made to Roche Biomedical employees that were hired before….1985…Not sure of the exact year.

Also, be aware that we do pay a monthly premium, so this is not a freebie. Retirees are only impacted when they turn 65 and can go onto Medicare.

 

[Anonymous]

Well said! Quit looking for a hand out!

What a dumb response to another dumb post. Medical benefits are a handout?

 

[Anonymous]

A company is not your daddy, pay for you own crap! Quit looking for someone to take care of you.

Am I missing something? If we can't count on our employers to provide us the means to 'pay for our own crap', then who do we turn to? This is why we work, douchebag. To pay for crap.

 

[Anonymous]

Am I missing something? If we can't count on our employers to provide us the means to 'pay for our own crap', then who do we turn to? This is why we work, douchebag. To pay for crap.

Then get another job if they don't pay you enough. and buy your own insurance. This company is employing you, its not your Daddy. You are your own corporation, make as much as you can from LCA or some other but for god sake don't look at it as your personal welfare program. Your living a lie

 

[Anonymous]

Then get another job if they don't pay you enough. and buy your own insurance. This company is employing you, its not your Daddy. You are your own corporation, make as much as you can from LCA or some other but for god sake don't look at it as your personal welfare program. Your living a lie

Wow! Looks like someone doesn't have a rudimentary knowledge of welfare or the insurance industry. Offering medical insurance is actually good for business and necessary for large corporations. It’s all part of the compensation package and necessary to attract good employees and ensure their continuing productivity. Corporations offer medical benefits are socialists?

You’re a moron.

 

[Anonymous]

Then get another job if they don't pay you enough. and buy your own insurance. This company is employing you, its not your Daddy. You are your own corporation, make as much as you can from LCA or some other but for god sake don't look at it as your personal welfare program. Your living a lie

Stop for a moment and read post #5. This is a benefit for the RBL employees, and they DO make a monthly premium payment. This change affects employees that are 65 and older that are Medicare eligible.

…..and please stop being so judgmental and hateful.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow. Those of you that were never eligible for the post retirement benefit are sounding off because it didn't effect you and you are envious of those that did qualify. The retirement insurance was not free. Premiums were based on length of service. Perhaps if you actually stayed at a job longer than two years you could qualify for extended benefits.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow! Looks like someone doesn't have a rudimentary knowledge of welfare or the insurance industry. Offering medical insurance is actually good for business and necessary for large corporations. It’s all part of the compensation package and necessary to attract good employees and ensure their continuing productivity. Corporations offer medical benefits are socialists?

You’re a moron.

NO, Insurance was offered as a mode of compensation as a by product of Wages and Price controls instituted during WWII by FDR. It was a way around the fact they couldn't compensate valuable employees with more money due to price fixing by the government. It has lingered on as an expectation not unlike a pension.. Never put our future in the hands of a company who may or may not be in business in 20 years. When companies over promise futures and bankruptcy occurs, pensions get recalibrated and insurance plans as well. (detroit, steel mills, et)

No companies that offer medical benifits are not socialist, Until ACA they were free to chose to offer insurance as an incentive. But, when you don't control it, and expect it form some institition your run the risk of this kind of thing! Instead of asking for future benifits, get paid now!

 

[Anonymous]

NO, Insurance was offered as a mode of compensation as a by product of Wages and Price controls instituted during WWII by FDR.

Not accurate. Insurance was offered as early as the mid-1800s (rail and steam) and expanded as a direct result of wage controls imposed by the federal government during World War.

Also, it wasn’t only used by progressive presidents, but also Richard Nixon. I was very young, but remember him announcing a freeze on all wages and prices. This isn’t socialism. Even George W price controlled in 2007/8,

It was a way around the fact they couldn't compensate valuable employees with more money due to price fixing by the government.

Nowhere near accurate. It wasn’t a way around anything, but government policy which helped the market. When George W did it he explained that sometimes you have to abandon free market principles to help a free market system.

And there was no price fixing. Price fixing conjures up a conspiracy between a buy and seller. Those words are used to inflame in this instance. You meant to say "price control." What a difference a word makes. Not a conspiracy, but government policy to steady or make healthy a market.

The market-based measure you were talking about was the dearth of workers in the WW2 era coupled with a demand for goods and services. The Feds capped wages in order to control inflation. Dems and Repubs alike

So to assert “Price fixing by the government” w/o any context seems to be a bit anti-government biased.

It has lingered on as an expectation

No. It has become a standard for attracting workers and has been used to increase productivity via a healthy workplace. Companies soon found it is the only way to compete in the workplace.

Never put our future in the hands of a company who may or may not be in business in 20 years. When companies over promise futures and bankruptcy occurs, pensions get recalibrated and insurance plans as well. (detroit, steel mills, et)

You are a Big-Government Alarmist. Quest Diagnostics or any other cash rich biotech companies are not going by way of the steel mills – especially via offering medical insurance.

No companies that offer medical benifits are not socialist, Until ACA they were free to chose to offer insurance as an incentive.

OK, and there you have it. You have an issue with the ACA and probably Obama. I acknowledge your right to express that view, but think it’s immoral not to have this type of healthcare reform. This is not the forum to debate the ACA. I’m sure we both can go on for days.

But, when you don't control it, and expect it form some institition your run the risk of this kind of thing! Instead of asking for future benifits, get paid now!

I don’t think you’re thinking this one out. Are you saying that everyone should buy their own policy, and the individuals will have more control over their healthcare dollar? Insurances will still be calling the shots and you’ll probably fare better in a large group of pooled policies.

 

[Anonymous]

The last poster went on for 5 paragraphs and said nothing.

I'm sure your a joy to ride along with

 

[Anonymous]

The last poster went on for 5 paragraphs and said nothing.

I'm sure your a joy to ride along with

Actual Information was exchanged. I see how that could make you uncomfortable.

 

[Anonymous]

NO, Insurance was offered as a mode of compensation as a by product of Wages and Price controls instituted during WWII by FDR.

Not accurate. Insurance was offered as early as the mid-1800s (rail and steam) and expanded as a direct result of wage controls imposed by the federal government during World War.

Also, it wasn’t only used by progressive presidents, but also Richard Nixon. I was very young, but remember him announcing a freeze on all wages and prices. This isn’t socialism. Even George W price controlled in 2007/8,

It was a way around the fact they couldn't compensate valuable employees with more money due to price fixing by the government.

Nowhere near accurate. It wasn’t a way around anything, but government policy which helped the market. When George W did it he explained that sometimes you have to abandon free market principles to help a free market system.

And there was no price fixing. Price fixing conjures up a conspiracy between a buy and seller. Those words are used to inflame in this instance. You meant to say "price control." What a difference a word makes. Not a conspiracy, but government policy to steady or make healthy a market.

The market-based measure you were talking about was the dearth of workers in the WW2 era coupled with a demand for goods and services. The Feds capped wages in order to control inflation. Dems and Repubs alike

So to assert “Price fixing by the government” w/o any context seems to be a bit anti-government biased.

It has lingered on as an expectation

No. It has become a standard for attracting workers and has been used to increase productivity via a healthy workplace. Companies soon found it is the only way to compete in the workplace.

Never put our future in the hands of a company who may or may not be in business in 20 years. When companies over promise futures and bankruptcy occurs, pensions get recalibrated and insurance plans as well. (detroit, steel mills, et)

You are a Big-Government Alarmist. Quest Diagnostics or any other cash rich biotech companies are not going by way of the steel mills – especially via offering medical insurance.

No companies that offer medical benifits are not socialist, Until ACA they were free to chose to offer insurance as an incentive.

OK, and there you have it. You have an issue with the ACA and probably Obama. I acknowledge your right to express that view, but think it’s immoral not to have this type of healthcare reform. This is not the forum to debate the ACA. I’m sure we both can go on for days.

But, when you don't control it, and expect it form some institition your run the risk of this kind of thing! Instead of asking for future benifits, get paid now!

I don’t think you’re thinking this one out. Are you saying that everyone should buy their own policy, and the individuals will have more control over their healthcare dollar? Insurances will still be calling the shots and you’ll probably fare better in a large group of pooled policies.

Another factor in companies offering insurance is that they are allowed a tax deduction for doing so. ACA eliminates this on top tier plans. Gov Jindal has put forth one of the Republican versions of ACA that eliminates the tax deduction completely. While messy and disruptive at the moment, this ultimately will lead to employers not providing healthcare coverage. This is a good thing. No individual should have healthcare insurance tied to an employer.

 

[Anonymous]

NO, Insurance was offered as a mode of compensation as a by product of Wages and Price controls instituted during WWII by FDR.

Not accurate. Insurance was offered as early as the mid-1800s (rail and steam) and expanded as a direct result of wage controls imposed by the federal government during World War.

Also, it wasn’t only used by progressive presidents, but also Richard Nixon. I was very young, but remember him announcing a freeze on all wages and prices. This isn’t socialism. Even George W price controlled in 2007/8,

It was a way around the fact they couldn't compensate valuable employees with more money due to price fixing by the government.

Nowhere near accurate. It wasn’t a way around anything, but government policy which helped the market. When George W did it he explained that sometimes you have to abandon free market principles to help a free market system.

And there was no price fixing. Price fixing conjures up a conspiracy between a buy and seller. Those words are used to inflame in this instance. You meant to say "price control." What a difference a word makes. Not a conspiracy, but government policy to steady or make healthy a market.

The market-based measure you were talking about was the dearth of workers in the WW2 era coupled with a demand for goods and services. The Feds capped wages in order to control inflation. Dems and Repubs alike

So to assert “Price fixing by the government” w/o any context seems to be a bit anti-government biased.

It has lingered on as an expectation

No. It has become a standard for attracting workers and has been used to increase productivity via a healthy workplace. Companies soon found it is the only way to compete in the workplace.

Never put our future in the hands of a company who may or may not be in business in 20 years. When companies over promise futures and bankruptcy occurs, pensions get recalibrated and insurance plans as well. (detroit, steel mills, et)

You are a Big-Government Alarmist. Quest Diagnostics or any other cash rich biotech companies are not going by way of the steel mills – especially via offering medical insurance.

No companies that offer medical benifits are not socialist, Until ACA they were free to chose to offer insurance as an incentive.

OK, and there you have it. You have an issue with the ACA and probably Obama. I acknowledge your right to express that view, but think it’s immoral not to have this type of healthcare reform. This is not the forum to debate the ACA. I’m sure we both can go on for days.

But, when you don't control it, and expect it form some institution your run the risk of this kind of thing! Instead of asking for future benefits, get paid now!

I don’t think you’re thinking this one out. Are you saying that everyone should buy their own policy, and the individuals will have more control over their healthcare dollar? Insurances will still be calling the shots and you’ll probably fare better in a large group of pooled policies.

No, I don't want to debate the ACA, Your right, I lean very libertarian, and I do understand fundamentally you need control of your healthcare. Putting control in the hand of institutions is a disaster. During WWII is when health insurance offered by employers became mainstream. (is that better) due to wages and price control. If you know history you know wages and price control are a common misplaced reaction to control inflation. Inflation is almost entirely a monetary phenomenon created by poor monetary policy. Wages and price controls constrict supply only. Richard Nixon made that mistake in the 70's. Price controls are a easy to sell fix to the uninformed but that actually worsen the problem. The reason is the real fix for inflation is very painful, the fix will result in high unemployment and high interest rates until inflation starts to come under control. No politician wants to go there and the public generally is uniformed how a fix works. Example, Japan in the 1970's ouch

I would advocate for insurance to be purchase in any fashion you desire, Individual, group, et. that brings the best price and service you can find. I would not require certain items be covered and allow you to chose what you think you need most. Example, I don't need birth control anymore but would like more catastrophic type coverage. Groups help with that but when it becomes a mandate by government the market forces that hold companies accountable breaks down. By market that is us as a voluntary collective not a gov agency. They are just as corruptible as an insurance company. If you are foolish enough to trust that a company 20 years from now to give a shit about you I cannot help. Bigger companies than LCA have gone out of business. Even if they do give a shit, the burden to carry you when competing against a start up company without historic cost burden inherently makes them vulnerable.

Yes, I distrust big government and big companies and other individuals big or small to make the best decisions for me. Take control of your healthcare don't rely on old promises.

Not an Obama fan, Not a Bush fan, not a command and control economy fan. I have yet to get a leader that doesn't want to use the force of government to make me live as they see fit.. You have more power within you than you think!