Health insurance a concern for retired GM worker
My grandfather, Fallyen Fitzpatrick, was a exact General Motors employee in Michigan until he retired in 1993. He was a die-maker, constructing the molds later used to create essential GM vehicle parts.
He was fiercely loyal. While growing up, I can’t advise you how many times I heard I should never buy a Ford. I was told Ford stood for “Found on Road Dead” and “Fix or Repair Daily.”
I know now this was nothing more than company rivalry, but I took to heart what I was hearing. As a child, I was amazed to see a running Ford vehicle. But it’s now not about rivalries. It’s about saving GM.
As the deadline approaches for GM to stave off bankruptcy, my family and I have become increasingly concerned. In the first quarter of this year, GM already has blown through more than $10 billion. Revenue has dropped by almost half. The Pontiac line may be discontinued.
We do not know what this will mean for my grandfather. He built a house in Orangeville, Mich., a small town between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, where he and my grandmother, “Ginny,” raised three children. GM never made him rich, but he didn’t have to struggle to keep food on the table.
Now, it’s health insurance that’s a concern. Two years ago, my grandfather’s coverage transferred from Priority Health to Blue Cross Blue Shield. There is no comparison in quality. We recently suspected my grandfather may have shingles. MRIs and other tests showed my grandfather’s damage was simply arthritis in his neck and wait on. But he has paid nearly $600 so far for those tests.
Like many people, we’re wondering what we will do to survive financially. Many live solely on retirement benefits from lifelong careers, like my grandfather’s. Many retirees don’t know any other way to manufacture a living. They shouldn’t have to learn now.
Related Blogs
- GM Reveals EN-V All Electric Vehicle That Could Drop You Off and …
- CHAdeMO Developing Global Electric Vehicle Charging Standard …
- Design your Own Electric Vehicle With the Trexa EV Platform …
- New York Gets Its First Solar Electric Vehicle Charging Station …
- Ford Interceptor is 25% More Fuel Efficient Than Older Cop Cars …
- Better Place Makes Electric Vehicle Grids a Reality | Inhabitat …
- NO MORE GAS Personal Electric Vehicle | Inhabitat – Green Design …
- Nike Air Footscape – Italy Blue and Purple Colorways | KicksOnFire.com
- Air Jordan II (2) Retro – University Blue – Black | New Images …
- Area Credit Suisse Employee Chose…Unwisely? (Update) « Dealbreaker …
- PPLive|Synacast Puts Microsoft (Employee) in Charge; More …
- Steven Seagal Sued by Former Employee Kayden Nguyen for Sexual …
- Components of Employee Remuneration – Employee Compensation …
- FOREX-Euro steadies after fall, yen on the defensive (Reuters via …
- FOREX-Euro steadies after fall, yen on the defensive – Reuters
- FOREX-Euro steadies after fall, yen on the defensive – Reuters
- Euro Steadies After Fall, Yen on the Defensive
- FOREX-Euro steadies after fall, yen on the defensive (at Reuters)
- SOCIALIST UNITY » FITZPATRICK WEDDING INSULT WILL COST HIM THE …
- Fitzpatrick tosses hat in ring | Bronxville, Scarsdale and …