Woodman's Drops Mental Health Coverage

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December 16: Story on Woodman's employees in Janesville dropping union representation making it into the Janesville Gazette -- Union Rejected by Woodman's

Five days later.

December 21: Story on Woodman's grocery stores dropping mental health coverage not making it into the Janesville Gazette -- Woodman's drops mental health coverage

Two weeks later.

January 4: Editorial on Woodman's decision to drop mental coverage written by the Capital Times -- A deeply disappointing decision by Woodman's

Since the Mental Health Parity Act became effective Oct. 15, 2009, it certainly does look like Woodman's waited till after the union vote before dropping the benefit. But Congress delayed the effective date of the Act to January 2010 for bargaining agreements that otherwise would have been covered in 2009.

Still, there can be little doubt that the grocery chain waited until after the Janesville union vote to make their decision.

I'm convinced the management folks over at Woodman's think the parity rule along with the loophole exempting mental health coverage altogether was soooo terribly irresponsible that they counted on it, and are willing to defend it against any who dare try to "fix" it. The state can expect a huge battle with the WMC if they attempt to close the hole or exceed Federal provisions.

From both Congress and their employees, Woodman's got exactly what they wished for.