 (Image: CBGB Hoser under CC 2.0) |
The auto industry has been one of the most hard hit during this recession. Many General Motors employees are a case in point; plants have closed across the country, leaving tens of thousands of people without jobs and generous health insurance benefits. Others, such as Michael Hanley, have kept their jobs: however, he has been transferred to another plant several states away.
Why would a man commute from Wisconsin to Kansas for work each week, sacrificing family time? Access to health insurance coverage plays a large role in it. Hanley’s wife, Laura, suffers from a rare blood disorder that can lead to cancer, and she requires chemotherapy. She needs a comprehensive health insurance plan to cover the cost of her treatment; the annual deductibles alone reach tens of thousands of dollars. Most companies don’t offer group health insurance as generous as the plans negotiated by the United Auto Workers union.
The good news for the Hanleys is that they will keep their health insurance after Michael is eligible for retirement.
