Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Support the IDS in College Media Madness! Donate here March 24 - April 8.
Friday, March 29
The Indiana Daily Student

oped

Protecting our finest

Opinion illo

To say that Indiana has never been a strong advocate for unions of any kind is an understatement, to say the least.

Last week, the city of Indianapolis, under direction of Republican Mayor Greg Ballard, took a swipe at Indiana’s finest.

Currently, the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police and the Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Union are suing the city, alleging that proposed health insurance alterations constitute a breach of contract.

Thankfully, it is illegal for public safety reasons for these men and women to strike, but we believe that if it were an option, you would see signs and hear chants from Indianapolis to South Bend.

The city, which is not currently under collective bargaining negotiations with the unions, has begun eliminating its current Advantage HMO plan in favor of a High Deductible Health Plan. Anthem is the sole insurance vendor for this plan.

For a married firefighter or police officer, bi-weekly contributions would raise from $46.39 to $101.49.

Additionally, the new plan institutes a $5,000 deductible.

Meaning, those with this plan would have to pay $5,000 out of their own pocket before insurance covered anything. The maximum out-of-pocket cost for this plan could range from $8,000 to $9,000.

It’s also important to note that the new plan does not factor in any contributions for retirees or their healthcare plans.

Firefighters and police officers are constantly injured on the job.

If it is serious enough, i.e., brain damage, maiming, burns, gun shot wounds, paralysis and a myriad of other potentially life-threatening injuries, these people need to be able to take care of themselves.

They also need to be able to maintain a quality of life after ?retirement.

The loss of a limb is not a common cold. These wounds must be treated and cared for long after police officers or firefighters hang up their badges.

The emotional and ?psychological damage could be worse.

They need to be able to pay for any sort of trauma, physical or mental, that they have ?undergone.

If they have insufficient or expensive coverage, they will be ?unable to do so.

The suit claims the city is breaching its collective bargaining agreement with the union, as well as failing to notify the union of this change at the time of a ?contract extension last year.

The Editorial Board supports the decision of the unions to sue the city, as we believe the actions taken by the city are not only opportunistic jabs at the unions but also entirely reprehensible and ?irresponsible.

We understand Indiana doesn’t want to spend money on anything that could actually help people, like health care or education or ?infrastructure.

However, we believe the city of Indianapolis, and Ballard, should show more appreciation toward those who protect us.

Additionally, police officers and firefighters work in exceedingly stressful and dangerous ?environments.

The normal wear and tear alone will all but guarantee continual medical visits for many retirees, whom the city doesn’t ?account for in the new plan.

If the city wanted to alter the health care plans when it negotiates its next contract with the unions, that would be one thing.

However, the city did not consult the union members about these alterations.

Ballard’s office has been unwilling, in our eyes, to work with city employees who protect the citizens of the Indianapolis-area.

And if the mayor of the largest city in Indiana isn’t willing to follow the rules, that doesn’t bode well for the state as a whole.

If the government isn’t willing to care for our finest, will they care for everyone else?

In the opinion of the Editorial Board, it is both unfair and immoral to continue to push unexpected costs and benefit decreases upon those who serve and protect our great state.

Follow the rules, and take care of our finest.

Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe