I received an answer to my email to the UC Regents. I believe that each of you who sent them email got the same response. It did not address the issue of the rationale for moving responsibility for our medical benefits to LLNS, so I sent them a reply. Below is a copy of the email I sent.

 

A few people are still responding so now there are over 40 people in the group.

 

I am still looking for legal help.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Joe

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Ms. Lapp

 

I appreciate your response to my inquiry.  I am happy to hear that the Regents have chosen you to speak on their behalf. Your response does correctly state the status quo at the moment.

 

Unfortunately, your response assumes UC has the right to transfer liability for my medical coverage to LLNS, which is the assumption I intend to challenge. Restating the status quo neither acknowledges nor addresses that issue.

 

Perhaps I have not been clear enough, so let me make it as easy as 1, 2, 3.

 

1.                            I am a UC employee

a.          My retirement check comes from UC.

b.          UC paid my medical benefits until LLNS took over the management contract.

c.          The Academic Council Special Committee on the National Laboratories in White Paper IX states ÒLaboratory employees, who are in fact UC employees, cannot be fired under UC human resources guidelines without a full review, which can require several months.Ó

d.          A provision in a management contract between LLNS and DOE does not transfer me out of UC employment since neither I nor UC is a party to that contract.

2.                            UC provides medical insurance to its retirees.

a.          The UC web site: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/retirees/health_welfare/index.html states:  ÒIf you were enrolled in a medical plan as an active employee and elected to continue coverage when you retired, you may continue coverage.Ó

3.                            Therefore, UC is responsible for providing me the same medical benefits as the rest of its employees.

 

Would you, or another individual selected by the Regents, please address my issue based on the above three points? Thank you for your further assistance.

 

Joseph Requa

University of California Retiree

563 Brookfield Drive

Livermore  CA 94551

925/443-0120

 

cc.

Regents of the University of California

UC President Mark G. Yudof

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Senator Dianne Feinstein

Representative Ellen Tauscher

LLNL Director George Miller