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| Workers sue state over health model |
| By statesmanjournal.com - Dennis Thompson Jr. |
| Published: 02/16/2012 |
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Five Oregon state workers have filed a federal class-action lawsuit over a newly established employee wellness program, claiming that the effort violates their civil rights and privacy. The lawsuit targets the Health Engagement Model, which requires that adults enrolled in the health plan for state employees complete an online health risk assessment survey conducted by their insurance provider. Those who don't participate in the HEM are charged a monthly penalty of $20 if they are single or $35 if they are covered as a couple. The lawsuit alleges that the program coerces state workers into providing personal medical information, in violation of state and federal law. "While defendants promote the HEM program as 'voluntary,' if an employee enrolled in health insurance chooses not to participate in HEM, a $20 (to) $35 monthly charge is incurred by the nonparticipating employee, in addition to the premium the employee pays for health insurance," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit cites state and federal laws that prohibit employers from asking questions about a person's disabilities or requiring employees to take a medical examination. The lawsuit asks the court to stop the state from pursuing the HEM. It also requests unspecified damages. The five employees who filed the lawsuit earlier this week in U.S. District Court in Eugene include three state Department of Corrections officers and two Oregon State Police senior troopers. One of the corrections officers, Sgt. Michael Van Patten, is president of the Association of Oregon Corrections Employees union. Read More. |
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