There's something I don't understand in this movie. When Erin visits Donna Jensen for the first time and Donna reveals that PG&E paid for all the doctors visits, Erin asks why and Donna says "because of the chromium".
I don't understand this part. PG&E paid for the doctors because there is chromium in the water? And the residents weren't suspicious about this? Maybe I'm missing something here. Can someone please explain it to me?
I haven't seen this film in a long time, but I seem to remember Erin telling Ed about how PG&E told the town that the chromium was good for them etc. I might have that wrong, though. I think that the town was just really naive (and with good reason) and never questioned things outside of what they were told.
Also, didn't it end up being hexavalent chromium in their water?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aslbE-hkKS4
I remember PG&E told them it was like chromium 3, or I guess some variation of it which was not harmful, but it was really chromium 6. Basically they lied to them and told them it was good for them, but that is odd that they would pay for their doctors visits. But remember the lady said they paid for it right away unlike insurance or something where they'd pay and keep waiting to be reimbursed. I'm guessing these people didn't exactly have the means to pay for a bunch of doctor bills so since PG&E were paying they were okay with it and believed what they said. They may even have been in denial about something fishy being up.
shareThus providing a text book explanation on why employers should have nothing to do with insuring their employees. I can't think of a better example to warn people against the term "conflict of interest".
Employers should channel those funds back into their employees payroll and let them shop for the insurance plan/company that will work best for them.
As for insurance companies offering package deals TO BUSINESSES/CORPORATIONS ONLY, I find that speaks volumes about their trustworthiness and ethics. The process is un-American and based on inequality.
I think it has to do with the employer's reputation and ethics. I feel like my company has done a very good job on both fronts. I've done exactly what you said as far as comparing policies and finding the best fit. I can't even come close to the same price for the same level of service from the same insurance company as I get through my employer. Granted there are probably some indiscretions that I don't know about, but when I've needed their support, they've been there.
I'm married with a daughter and it's ~half of what it would cost me on my own.
"You be nice to him Ben, he has ROTC!" Andy Griffith
The real reason PGandE paid for the doctors is because PGandE hired THEIR doctors. Meaning the doctors were paid to examine the Hinkley patients and ultimately say their diagnosis had nothing to do with the water.
sharePG&E didn't want the Hinkley residents finding out that their health issues were related to the Chromium so they set them up to see doctors that were paid by PG&E to lie to them. They told them that they were using Chromium 3 but they were actually using Chromium 6 that was poisonous. Basically PG&E did everything they could and spent money to cover this up.
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