McDonald's May Drop Health Plan - Blackmail?

[karnac]

You tell me....


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703431604575522413101063070.html?mod=WSJ_business_LeadStoryCollection


SEPTEMBER 30, 2010

McDonald's May Drop Health Plan


By JANET ADAMY

McDonald's Corp. has warned federal regulators that it could drop its health insurance plan for nearly 30,000 hourly restaurant workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of the U.S. health overhaul.

The move is one of the clearest indications that new rules may disrupt workers' health plans as the law ripples through the real world.

Trade groups representing restaurants and retailers say low-wage employers might halt their coverage if the government doesn't loosen a requirement for "mini-med" plans, which offer limited benefits to some 1.4 million Americans.

The requirement concerns the percentage of premiums that must be spent on benefits.

[sfwriter]

1. Eff them...

I have no more tolerance for these corporations...

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. If McDonalds is threatening to drop insurance...

... because they cannot comply with the requirement that 85% of premiums must be spent on benefits, then their insurance is a scam.

[Pirate Smile]

9. Exactly. Why would McDonalds be bitching about that requirement? They want their

insurance company to spend less money on their workers actual health care and more on what???

What did all the Companies do when child labor laws were enacted and other worker protections? We need a few specific stories for us to use when the media starts screaming about this. Companies are not exactly always happy when greater protections and benefits are provided to their workers. That doesn't mean you give in to them.

[BlueCheese]

17. From the article...

... it says that their insurance company either can't or won't meet the 85% medical loss ratio, and so McDonald's will be forced to drop insurance. The reason given is that these plans, with high turnover and limited benefits, require higher administrative costs. I'm not sure I believe that.

[Pirate Smile]

22. Me either.

[notadmblnd]

3. I knew this insurance reform was going to give corporations an excuse to dump health benies

for employees. If McDonalds succeeds, look for others to follow.

[Radical Activist]

4. So they can't give a shitty, rip-off insurance plan to a tiny percentage for their workforce

that's already underpaid? Oh cry me a river. Assholes like this are why we need another round of laws passed next year.

[Hannah Bell]

18. maybe one for single-payer. then mcdonalds couldn't whine about their "administrative" costs.

[glinda]

5. we need equal HC for all

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lonestarnot]

7. McDonalds, now are they a small bidness?

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. Single Payer is the only answer in the long run.

[Pirate Smile]

11. We may get there but it wont be in one fell swoop.

[ibegurpard]

10. McDonald's has a health plan?

How many people are enrolled? ten?

[BlueCheese]

19. I was surprised too.

Given that working at McDonald's is the stereotypical low-paying job, it's not something I expected.

It is a limited one, though. I guess they're called "mini-meds". For $14 a week ($728 annually) you can get up to $2000 in annual benefits, including 100% of doctor visits and prescription drugs after $20 or $5 copayments, and 70% if hospital stays. You can also pay more for a larger annual cap.

It's obviously not comprehensive, and you'd still be ruined by any major illness. But it sounds like it could be a lot worse.

[Yupster]

12. Good - there's no logcal reason why health insurabce should be tied

to employment anyway.

[caledesi]

13. Obama knew that this would start happening...

hello public option!

:nopity:

'but. but I can't afford insurance.....now you can.

I know,the REST of the world is wrong...the USA is right. SURE!~ :sarcasm:

[EC]

14. Their insurance, just like WalMarts doesn't cover anything

you pay like $40. a month and the plan will cover you for up to $1000. after deductables...you will end up paying close to the $1000. anyway...

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. McDonald's profits jump by 23%

McDonald's says its net profits jumped 23% in the last three months of 2009.
Fourth-quarter profits at the firm were $1.22bn (£756.79m), up from $985m for the same period a year earlier.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8475860.stm

[JVS]

16. The individual mandate makes it almost inevitable that employers will drop insurance.

[KharmaTrain]

20. Think About It As One Step Closer To Single Payer

If these corporates drop their policies its going to put millions out there with no insurance and force the government's hand. One would hope the pressure would grow as more and more people apply for the pools and rely on the government for emergency care. It will be the painful way to go, but these days, the best options are the ones with the least pain. However, hoping for our politicians to do anything until people are found dead is another matter.

[xchrom]

21. who'd have thought corporations would do something like this? nt