Union Mistreatment due to Self Insured Health Care

[rickandsue]

I'm trying to get my story told.

The whole thing stems from self insured health care. My boss made AFSCME Illinois Council 31 self insured back in the early 90's. What this means is that instead of paying monthly health insurance premiums and just kissing that money goodbye, the employer takes part in a game
of chance. He pays small amounts to a claims administrator and buys catastophic insurance. In addition, he pays all medical claims. Its kinda like a high deductible. The employer pays all claims up to a specific amount before the re-insurer starts paying. In my case, it was about $50,000 each year.
I suffered some health problems. I had a brain aneurysm and a few years later a brain tumor. So, in other words, AFSCME paid for my
brain surgeries. My boss would get a listing of all medical costs,
explanations of benefits, pharmacy listings that showed exactly what drugs and how much they cost for everyone, medical diagnosis, monthly and annual reports and he helped negoiate the specific amounts and premiums for the upcoming year. When someone has a potential for high claims, they are lazered and they individually or the group overall
may have higher specifics or higher premiums for catastophic coverage.

The day I returned from my second brain surgery, my boss called me in his office and quizzed me about my health. I explained the Dr couldn't get all of the tumor and left a small section of bone from my head just in case he had to go in at a later date. Eleven days later he fired me for not closing a door. I had never been disciplined in the entire 13 years I had been there. After I was fired, I got ahold of a report the claims dministrator prepared that listed me as a potentially high claimant, and also listed my brain tumor as the diagnosis. In addition, another former employee called me and told me she had been fired after she suffered a stroke but had never told anyone. I filed suit with the Dept of Human Rights who sent it on to EEOC and now it is a case in federal court. The case is #05-3031 in US District Court, Central Illinois Division. It's been
dragging on for three years so God is really showing me that patience is a virtue.

I want to go to a trial to bring this subject up. This was so much more than an invasion of privacy. Since this happened at a Union I feel it is
doubly important.

Anyone that can help circulate my story, please do so. My number is 217 370-6652 and my email address is rickandsue@fbconnectu.net.