Health insurance

We have heard numerous stories from members who had to miss their dental appointments due to the fact that their dentists declined to accept their Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance cards. Some of those members wonder why those dental cards were not mailed in December of last year so that they could be activated at the beginning of the new year.

Others felt that they had anticipated to get their dental work done within these few days however until now they have not received their dental cards. When they ask they are informed that the cards are in the mail. Members felt it is like when one does not want to pay up his debt they will hand out a check and claim the check is good or maybe the check is in the mail.

Others until now have not received their children’s prescription cards and they wonder is it really this hard to print those cards? Numerous other members who have their children in college have endured the past year without any health insurance coverage for their children even though the health care bill was signed on March 23, 2010 by President Obama. They wonder why nothing has changed even with the Affordable Care Act which was supposed to begin on or after September 23, 2010. Maybe Samuelsen and the current leadership will demand reimbursement or a refund for those who had to fork monies out of their pocket for their children.

The other question is was the MTA stone walling this policy? Does it raise to the level of violation or intentional negligence? In either case the obvious is that the membership adult children were entitled to healthcare insurance on or after September 23, 2010. The other side of the coin is whether those members will receive monetary refunds from the MTA or the Insurance company. We here in why did you join the union believe it is the MTA due to the fact that those insurance companies were serving the MTA.

In either case do not hold your breath. Samuelsen cared for the laid off membership’s health however your adult children do not interest him.