Retirees protest proposed Kodak benefit cuts
source: http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S575155.shtml?cat=566
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- Brockie
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Kodak retirees say they may soon have to decide between going to the dentist or buying groceries. This is because Kodak will eliminate part of their current healthcare benefit.
Scores of Kodak retirees turned out at noon today to "March on Kodak". They are protesting some proposes to retiree's healthcare coverage. These people rallied this afternoon to send a message to the company.
Kodak retirees have been told that as of January 1, 2009 Kodak will no longer pay for retirees dental coverage and life insurance. In a statement a company spokesperson says, “We realize that these changes put an extra burden on retirees, and it pains us to do this. This is not a decision we took lightly. We feel that our approach strikes the right balance between individual and company interests, recognizing that keeping Kodak competitive is the best thing we can do for employees and retirees.”
Ed Gartz said, “We anticipated increases and that we would have to absorb them. We never anticipated that they were going to take these benefits away and it's unfair that they did.”
Kodak retiree Michael Donnelly said, “Basically five years ago I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I went through extensive abdominal surgery at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center and fortunately I'm a survivor. So an insurance company when they're doing underwriting will look at your health records and say this person really isn't a good risk.”
The retirees say these changes will be devastating and they're willing to take it as far as necessary even filing a lawsuit.
Dental insurance runs from between $50 and $150 a month. Life insurance premiums vary greatly depending upon health history and age. As for health insurance, a Kodak newsletter says retirees not eligible for Medicare, can expect an increase of $100 per month for the two-person PPO plan in 2009 and $500 to $800 a month for the max plan.
Scores of Kodak retirees turned out at noon today to "March on Kodak". They are protesting some proposes to retiree's healthcare coverage. These people rallied this afternoon to send a message to the company.
Kodak retirees have been told that as of January 1, 2009 Kodak will no longer pay for retirees dental coverage and life insurance. In a statement a company spokesperson says, “We realize that these changes put an extra burden on retirees, and it pains us to do this. This is not a decision we took lightly. We feel that our approach strikes the right balance between individual and company interests, recognizing that keeping Kodak competitive is the best thing we can do for employees and retirees.”
Ed Gartz said, “We anticipated increases and that we would have to absorb them. We never anticipated that they were going to take these benefits away and it's unfair that they did.”
Kodak retiree Michael Donnelly said, “Basically five years ago I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I went through extensive abdominal surgery at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center and fortunately I'm a survivor. So an insurance company when they're doing underwriting will look at your health records and say this person really isn't a good risk.”
The retirees say these changes will be devastating and they're willing to take it as far as necessary even filing a lawsuit.
Dental insurance runs from between $50 and $150 a month. Life insurance premiums vary greatly depending upon health history and age. As for health insurance, a Kodak newsletter says retirees not eligible for Medicare, can expect an increase of $100 per month for the two-person PPO plan in 2009 and $500 to $800 a month for the max plan.
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- tags:
- Rochester, Kodak, Life Insurance
