SEIU503: COG WORKERS GET A HIGH DEDUCTIBLE CATASTROPHIC HEALTH PLAN

First we had the imposition of the Health Engagement Model (HEM) on the workers in the State Unit. There has been a lot of discussion here about the concerns of workers regarding this program. But this new development is much worse! The Oregon Cascades West Council Of Governments (COG) is moving into a new realm.

A number of years ago the State of Oregon contracted out the administration (Eligibility and Case Management) of Disability and Senior Services to a county consortium (Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties) known as the COG. Because we were not State Employees we could not participate in the excellent PEBB Health Plans. Our Health Insurance was never as good and cost us more out of pocket than our co-workers who were not contracted out. But for years we bargained hard, organized our co-workers and one year almost went on strike. Management was sleazy but we usually caught them and let our co-workers know what they were up to and made them back down.

With this new contract there is a huge change. Can this even be called a Health "Benefit"? It is a Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield High Deductible Plan. This type of plan is called "Catastrophic" coverage for a reason. They were created to "market" to young people so they could have a lower premium (in this case only slightly lower) and the high deductible meant if they were in a car crash or something big, there would be some coverage once they paid the deductible. But the real motive is to have a huge disincentive to even use it. You have coverage, but don't use it. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Crime Family rakes in even more money and management pays less. Everyone wins except the worker. Now of course for this contract period management will pay each worker a subsidy towards that deductible. But if I know the COG (and I do) after this contract more and more of that deductible will be the responsibility of the worker. And they will be more and more reticent to even use it, unless there is a catastrophe.

That is not all. The immediate hurt is to the early (Under 65) retirees. Most Unions care about their retirees or at least let them know what changes may be coming. For those of us who have to pay full premium for the COG's plan we will now also have to pay the full high deductible (no subsidy for us). My PERS check is about average and for me the yearly deductible equals an entire month's check.

If there is anything that makes "Fight Back For A Fair Economy" sound hollow, this is it!!!