Proposed Whirlpool health plan leaves many Maytag retirees distressed

The medical plan offered to Maytag retirees last week by Whirlpool is turning out to be a rather unpopular one, to say the least. In fact, it’s hard to find anyone who will say a good word about it. “I think it stinks,” said Maytag retiree Richard Poston. “There’s nothing in this plan that’s very good. I think (Whirlpool) is offering us something they know we don’t want so they’ll get us off their backs.” Whirlpool’s medical plan, intended to bring the Maytag retirees in line with Whirlpool’s current employees, would offer a choice of two options, with either a 20 percent or a 30 percent coinsurance pay, with annual deductible of $500 or $1,500, up to a maximum of $3,500 for the 20 percent coinsurance, or $12,500 for the 30 percent plan. Th