Union Rejects Health Care Proposal From NFL
(KDKA/AP) - The NFLPA has rejected a proposal from the NFL on long-term care for former players, saying the policy will exclude too many older players because the underwriting company would exempt players due to pre-existing conditions that players suffered from playing football.
The proposal from the NFL would cover between 2,500 and 3,000 former players and spouses.
"The policy has many desirable features, including a 30 to 40 percent discount for both players and their spouses if the spouse chooses to purchase the same coverage given to the player," Brian McCarthy, NFL spokesman, said.
George Martin, executive director of NFL Alumni, supports the policy, calling it a starting point toward ensuring former players have necessary health care coverage.
A spokesperson for the union said that players who suffer from dementia, ALS, and other cognitive ailments would not be covered. But McCarthy said those players would be covered by the T88 plan which is funded by the union and the NFL.
The 88 Plan, named after John Mackey, provides funding from the NFL and the union to help with the care of players afflicted with dementia or related brain problems.
