1/4 of Memphis PD Call In Sick with "Blue Flu" Protesting Healthcare Cuts - Polidicks

[quote]EMPHIS, Tenn. — Hundreds of Memphis police officers have called in sick over the past week, apparently to protest a decision by city officials to reduce their health care subsidies. The number of officers calling in sick had increased to [B]554 by Tuesday, said Memphis police spokeswoman Karen Rudolph — about a quarter of the 2,200-person force.[/B] The officers have been calling in since June 30. Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong has said the calls are to protest the City Council's vote to reduce health care subsidies for police, firefighters, and other city employees in order to redirect money to the city's troubled pension fund. Officers and firefighters, along with their families, have staged protests at City Hall since the vote on June 17. [..] The mayor reassured the public that safety has not been compromised due to what is being called the "Blue Flu."[/quote] [url]http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/7360496-Number-of-Memphis-cops-in-blue-flu-protest-reaches-554/[/url] [quote]n addition to asking the sheriff for help, MPD officials have also authorized overtime as well as brought in officers from specialized units like Organized Crime to fill in the gaps left by those who didn't show for work. "It's going to cost us greatly in terms of overtime," said Mayor AC Wharton, who joined Armstrong at the press conference. He was flanked by several high-ranking members of his administration. Both Armstrong and Wharton kept a civil tone Sunday, despite being given the opportunity to condemn the work action. "It's my message to my officers that we have a duty to protect the city," Armstrong said. "I would still like to think that the majority of our officers will honor that obligation." [...] Beginning with the Council's Personnel Committee meeting on July 15, and at each meeting of that committee through the end of the year, council members will listen to the public's suggestions. The Personnel Committee meets every two weeks. "This is a time for them to come in with specific ideas on how to come up with approximately $50- to $55-million to pay for the pension," Council chairman Jim Strickland said, adding that it was "specifically not to complain about what we did but to offer suggestions." [/quote] [url]http://www.policeone.com/benefits/articles/7354834-308-Memphis-cops-call-in-sick-in-blue-flu-protest/[/url]

If there's one thing I don't want to ever do, it's reduce the covered healthcare for cops. Honest question. If they get shot, do they have to pay out of pocket to get it removed?

I lived in Memphis for 17 years. they need as many officers as possible, violent crimes are everywhere. Memphis is comparable to Detroit or Chicago, and their police force has low staffing and high corruption. I am glad I moved out of that little stain in the world. however, I hope the officers make a full recovery from "ourmunicipalgovernmentlikestoscrewus" itis

[QUOTE=suzume;45343213]I lived in Memphis for 17 years. they need as many officers as possible, violent crimes are everywhere. Memphis is comparable to Detroit or Chicago, and their police force has low staffing and high corruption. I am glad I moved out of that little stain in the world.[/QUOTE] Really? Marc cohn is such a fucking liar then.

[QUOTE=Penultimate;45340692]If there's one thing I don't want to ever do, it's reduce the covered healthcare for cops. Honest question. If they get shot, do they have to pay out of pocket to get it removed?[/QUOTE] gunshot wounds are not covered by healthcare, at least in my area.

[QUOTE=Penultimate;45340692]If there's one thing I don't want to ever do, it's reduce the covered healthcare for cops. Honest question. If they get shot, do they have to pay out of pocket to get it removed?[/QUOTE] Any injury on the job is covered under your employers insurance at no cost to the injured. Often called workers compensation or some variation of this name. Any gunshot injury off the job (not work related) would be subject to your insurance policy specifics. Having said this- I've never heard of policies specifically not covering gunshot wounds.

[QUOTE=BeardyDuck;45343544]gunshot wounds are not covered by healthcare, at least in my area.[/QUOTE] This can either be a sign of shitty healthcare or a shitty area.

[QUOTE=DrDevil;45344399]This can either be a sign of shitty healthcare or a shitty area.[/QUOTE] they're not covered, but they're still paid for by the department. the things covered by healthcare are the more common instances of injury and causes of retirement/death, such as injuries to the ankles/legs and heart disease. fact: diabetes is not covered either.

[QUOTE=DrDevil;45344399]This can either be a sign of shitty healthcare or a shitty area.[/QUOTE] it's a sign of America