by James Cahill
     "Anyone who complains about our union insurance plan...have them talk to me, I'll set them straight", so says Dennis Wacker a BAC #3 member.  In late summer of 1996 Dennis's wife, Barbara suffered a brain hemorrhage while walking home one evening.  She was rushed to St. Joseph's Barrows Institute, where she laid in a coma for forty days.  After emerging out of the coma she spent another three months recuperating.  She was released December 24.
     The brain hemorrhage affected her right-side, so she began physical therapy in January.  This kind of unforeseen medical emergency has been quite a burden for Dennis's family, a burden which could of been much worse if it weren't for Dennis's union health insurance.  "When it's all done, Barbara's medical bills are going to total around $200,000.  After my $250 deductible and paying the 20% of the first $7500 in medical expenses, (after $7500 major medical takes over up to $1,000,000) I figure my total out of pocket is going to be about $3500, it's a lot of money..but at least I didn't have to foot the entire $200,000.", Dennis says.
     The Wacker family is just like most blue collar families; it's a two paycheck family, but because of her condition, Barbara currently can not work. Yet the regular family  bills  still keep coming.  Dennis said, "With all that is going on at least I don't have to worry about paying back the hospital.  Our union insurance is the best there is, I sure hope to God nobody in our local ever has to go through this!"
To Dennis and his family, the best of luck. -webmaster