Resources

While we are in the midst of "collective bargaining" negotiations, you made need some resources for healthcare for your family and your children. See the links below for help in a variety of areas.

Union Resources

Utility Workers Union of America - Local 223
local223uwua.org

Utility Workers Union of America
www.uwua.net

Michigan State AFL-CIO
www.miaflcio.org

We Are The People Michigan
www.wearethepeoplemichigan.com

National Labor Relations Board- Order and Decision
www.nlrb.gov

Click here to read the landmark decision by the National Labor Relations Board from more than a year ago that recognizes workers as dual employees of The Detroit Edison Company (a subsidiary of DTE Energy) and The Bartech Group.

National AFL-CIO
www.aflcio.org

Benefit Resources

Working America
www.workingamerica.org

Union Plus
www.unionplus.org

Family Health Care Government Resources

Information on healthcare provided through the State of Michigan for uninsured children of low income families, pregnant women and families in need can be found here.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2943_4860-35199--,00.html

Other Family Health Care Government Links
www.cms.gov/LowCostHealthInsFamChild/

www.michigan.gov/documents/MIChildApplication_11847_7.pdf

www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/HKD_counties_May_2008_233569_7.pdf

www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/healthy_kids_185217_7.pdf

Michigan Food Stamp Resources

www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,1607,7-124-5453_5527-21832--,00.html

Nuclear Energy Resources

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
www.nrc.gov

Navigating Michigan's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

Some "We Are Fermi Too" workers have a healthcare dilemma despite having dual employers. These "We Are Fermi Too" workers are divorced with children but no affordable health insurance options. Several have applied for health insurance coverage through Michigan's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), but were ruled ineligible because Bartech offers "employer-sponsored" health care coverage even though it is 100% employee-paid.

Our healthcare consultant did some research to see how we can help find insurance options for these members.

Findings

• Michigan's SCHIP is composed of two programs, Healthy Kids (Medicaid) and MIChild.
• The MIChild program has higher income limits than the Healthy Kids program.
• Under MIChild, a family of four would qualify under the Income Test if the family income was less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) [about $44,000 based on the 2009 FPL, which is the most recent number available]. With this information, these employees should easily meet the Income Test.
• However, there is also an Insurance Coverage Test. This requires that the applicant must not: 1) be currently covered under a comprehensive health insurance policy (group or private); or 2) have had employer-based comprehensive health insurance coverage in the past six months.
• Under the FAQs section of the MIChild website, we found the following pertinent question and answer: Q-5. Can people drop expensive coverage to enroll? A-5. Families who voluntarily drop employer-based comprehensive insurance must wait six months. If families drop private insurance, they may immediately enroll in MIChild. This seems to be the relevant eligibility provision, even though it seems unfair in a situation where the employee must pay 100% of the cost of "employer-based" coverage. In this case, it really is like "private" coverage.

Recommendations

• Local 223 UWUA will work with "We Are Fermi Too" employees who are similarly situated to help re-apply for SCHIP benefits. The MIChild toll-free number is 1-888-988-6300.
• Local 223 UWUA plans to work with the MIChild administrators and see if an exception could be granted since the Bartech coverage is 100% employee paid (i.e., treat this situation as if "private" coverage were dropped).

Financial Resources

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Q&A