[NPInfo] UAW Response in Writing

[Jeff and Linda Bocchetto]

He is right about active hourly GM employees are still eligible to see 
NP/PAs. Only hourly retired GM employees cannot. Despite his comment, I 
cannot believe the exclusion for retirees was at their request, I have heard 
too many patients complain that they were unaware of the change until it was 
too late.

Salary retired GM employees are in even worse shape, they are going to lose 
their GM insurance completely at end of current contract.

Linda B, NP


>From: David Mittman <dmittman at advancedprac.com>
>Reply-To: NP Info <npinfo at nurse.net>
>To: ACC <acc-circle at listserve.com>, NP Info <npinfo at nurse.net>,        
>paforum at mc.duke.edu
>Subject: [NPInfo] UAW Response in Writing
>Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:55:34 -0400
>
>Received a letter from Dave Kagels, Of the Benefits Plan Section of  the 
>UAW-General Motors Dep't
>Phone number 313-926-5000
>And I quote:
>"I think you have been grossly misinformed. In 2007 national  negotiations, 
>the UAW improved primary care access inclusive of  advanced practice nurses 
>and physician assistants to fully practice  under their scope and licenses. 
>This means active members can go to  these practitioners for diagnosis, 
>prescriptions, tests and treatment  for acute conditions. Retirees have 
>separate healthcare coverage. The  contract negotiated in 2005 for retiree 
>healthcare by the UAW was met  with strong resistance by General Motors 
>Corp to include this benefit.
>
>As you can see from this brief history, the UAW always attempts to  expand 
>on previous Agreements for the betterment of its members. I  would suggest 
>you address your concerns to the proper party".
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>As you can read, this never explains IF retirees can see us but it  does 
>seem to make General Motors out to be the people who did not want  the 
>retirees seeing PAs and NPs. If so, we should have huge leverage  as 
>consumers in this decision.
>We inch closer.
>Dave
>
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