No Health Care for You - retirees see benefits slashed

[flygal]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/29/pf/retiree_healthcare_0505/index.htm

snip

NEW YORK (MONEY Magazine) - When Al Rodgers retired in 2001 after 32 years with Lucent Technologies, he didn't worry about how he would pay for medical care. Under the company's retiree-benefits plan, Rodgers thought he could count on subsidized health insurance for himself and his wife, plus dental and drug coverage.

But that was then, this is now. Last year, Lucent eliminated his subsidized dental benefits; this year the company dropped subsidized health insurance for dependents for a portion of its former management that included Rodgers. His drug co-payments have also risen sharply. As a result, he is now shelling out almost $350 a month more for less coverage.

To help pay their health-care bills, the couple has cut back on entertainment such as movie nights and restaurant meals. The resulting drop in their expenses, combined with their earnings from part-time jobs at a local weekly newspaper, enables them to just about cover the additional costs.

But Rodgers, 61, a former public relations specialist at Lucent's Oklahoma City manufacturing facility, says he feels shortchanged. He notes bitterly, "This is a real financial hardship."
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Their solutions to this crises are laughable "stay on the job part-time, find additional coverage, save more money....." no mention of a National health care plan. They do mention that Barnes and Noble - a WAY blue company offers benies for part-time workers.

I notice a lot of more progressive companies do that. I switched from Amazon.com to B&N exclusively and they must love me - I love buying those dvd sets!!