Lee stared across the conference table. “You just told us times were tough. Every dollar counts.”
The tone mocked him, but he knew how Lee liked to jerk his string. Lately, the length of that string had progressively shortened,particularly on the subject of Priorities. He decided not to take the bait and simply said, “There’s no need to authorize more.”
“But there is. We were going to authorize eight last time, but stopped at five.”
Lee turned toward Hughes.
“Raise the list, please?”
10:08A.M.
CHRIS WATCHED ASHUGHES PUNCHED THE KEYBOARD, INPUTTINGan access code known only to the three owners, which changed every few days. Once into the secured directory, Hughes opened thePRIORITYfile. Instantly, all three screens displayed a column of eight sets of numbers.
034156901
456913276
343016692
295617833
178932515
236987521
492016755
516332578
“This is the list from May’s meeting,” Hughes said. “The first five were authorized Priorities, the last three were not.”
“Who are the last three?” Lee asked. “We didn’t discuss them.”
Hughes opened another file and double-clicked the mouse. Background information windowed onto the screens.
“Number 6 is Melvin Bennett. Sixty-four. He took early retirement two years ago. Medical records show good health, except diabetes that’s under control. Assuming no serious complications he should live another fourteen years according to the mortality tables. Our projection on total retirement benefits, if Bennett lives the full fourteen years, is right at $590,000. That’s not countingany medical bills, and surely there’ll be some. Right now, our average retiree incurs about $48,000 in medicals a year. If a Priority is authorized, be aware we’ll have a $50,000 death benefit to pay. But the residual savings, excluding medical bills, will be pushing $600,000.”
Chris’ gaze soldered onto Lee.
“What about Numbers 7 and 8?” Lee asked.
“Number 7 is Paul Zimmerman. Currently on our payroll at the mill in the powerhouse. Good worker. Been with us seventeen years. His file is clean. But he has five children and medical expenditures for those dependents have run nearly $500,000 over the last two years. One child is handicapped, another has a growth problem. The hormone shots are $3,000 a pop—with four a month required. Medical records indicate these will continue for the next two years. Our estimate is over a million in medical expenses for his dependents over the next twenty-four to thirty-six months.”
Hughes paused.
Chris took the moment and studied the background information on Number 7, as the man would be referred to from this point forward. The obvious did not have to be voiced. At Zimmerman’s death there would no longer be any medical benefits available for his dependents. “I’d suggest simply terminating his employment. Firing would solve the problem and realize the savings we’re looking for. He can apply for government-mandated health care then and receive the subsidy. That’s what the Affordable Care Act was designed to do.”
“True,” Hughes said. “But there’d be a union problem and grievance fight. Though I’m sure something adequate could be concocted to support our decision.”
He pointed to the death benefit on the screen. “The widow can’t live on $50,000 and feed five kids. Severing his employment would be more than sufficient for our needs and still let the man support his family somewhere else.”
“Which union?” Lee asked.
“Electrical,” Hughes said.
Lee shook his head. “That’s Reed. He’ll be all over us demanding that job back along with lost wages. Probably even a few days off with pay for the trauma the man went through. I’ve seen that movie before. No way. Feeding five kids isn’t my problem. What about Number 8, Larry?”
“Michael Ottman. Seventy-one. He retired six years ago. Has a bad heart and bone cancer. Cost estimates are between $1 and $1.5 million for the chemotherapy and cancer treatments, then another $200,000-plus in terminal care cost, depending on how long he lingers. The numbers here are obviously fluid, but any way you look at it they’re substantial. There’s also a death benefit we’ll have to pay.”
