Is our union leadership (the UFT and MLC) ready to handle AI-based healthcare denials in our newly proposed plan?
Have they put protections in place for members? What proof do we have that they can?
On September 8th, the Municipal Labor Committee gave city union leaders only one day and a handful of hours to examine a redacted version of the newly proposed NYCEPPO healthcare plan.
The documents were thousands of pages long. A lot to digest under duress and leering eyes.
Then two days later, when the MLC met again to discuss the plan in detail, one astute and concerned union leader had a burning question based on what they saw in the plan regarding denials and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). A really good question particularly because UnitedHealthcare is one of the the chosen insurance companies and there are so few existing legal and regulatory oversight protections.
That’s your final answer, Mr. Garrido, Mr. Mulgrew and MLC leadership?
First, there is evidence of an agreement regarding the use of AI in denials in this newly proposed plan.
Second, there is no evidence of discussion, plan or ideas on safeguards concerning the looming implementation of AI in deciding to deny or delay our healthcare?
The MLC will look into it in a committee down the road?
What?
Is the leadership of the MLC prepared for AI denials if they haven’t even thought about it?
This is further proof these leaders are not strategic thinkers. They just want a deal.
And when they are asked good questions they just dismiss them.
They would rather call it fear mongering or appear like they have it all under control.
We don’t know the future, but we want to be confident our leaders are prepared.
Clearly, they aren’t if they are not even thinking about the consequences and impact. While anyone paying even the smallest amount of attention would be concerned about United Healthcare and denials as they are the industry leader in denials and their prolific use of AI to do it.
This isn’t just about some mundane or perfunctory contract clause—it’s about life-or-death decisions being handed to algorithms owned by UnitedHealthcare.
Based on this exchange, it’s in this contract. This is evidence. Not a conspiracy or wild speculation.
Fact: The proposed NYCEPPO plan would allow UnitedHealthcare to use AI to decide whether members get treatment, rationing care by machine.
(Click on this link for more details.)
Speak to your CL and your delegates about this latest development. Form your own judgments and opinions. Explore all options on the table with your chapter — yes, no or even seeking to delay our Delegate Assembly vote on Monday, September 29th, until we have more information and assurances.
Email Michael Mulgrew and let him know you are paying attention!
We know our worth and we deserve better than this.
The active workers must fight this; a fight I've been part of for over 4 years as a Medicare eligible retiree. If it seems too good to be true, IT IS! Delays, denials, prior authorizations and AI will cost you your health. Don't settle for an inferior product. Isn't that why we have a union in the first place? When you earn $350,000 a year like Mulgrew, it surely makes no difference to him what health plan you get stuck with. He can afford whatever comes his way.