Oh come on Apple!

[Silas1066]

A company with billions in the bank refuses to offer an Autism benefit to any of its employees?

http://blog.puzzleribbon.com/campaigns/campaign-for-autism-benefits-at-apple/

Apple, like many companies, has a self-funded health plan that is exempt from state regulations, and they have "grandfathered" the plan to avoid virtually all the PPACA (Obamacare) mandates.

families with autistic children have huge healthcare costs, with OT, speech therapy, ABA, etc.

Come on Apple! Do the right thing here. This would be really bad press if it got out nationally.

 

[Hellhammer]

You don't become a $380 billion company by keeping everyone happy.

 

[*LTD*]

You can't fund every special medical case. If you're interested, start a lobby for it or get involved in one, but it's not something you can complain about it.

Autism isn't the only thing on the menu.

 

[KingCrimson]

I bet MSFT has the benefit.

 

[Silas1066]

You can't fund every special medical case. If you're interested, start a lobby for it or get involved in one, but it's not something you can complain about it.

Autism isn't the only thing on the menu.

OK, so we can't fund every medical case. Let's get rid of maternity coverage, chermotherapy for cancer, dialysis, and a bunch of other stuff.

And since you seem to know so much about this stuff, we will elect you as the one who decides which treatments are OK, and which are "unnecessary."

And yes, Microsoft does have a generous autism benefit.

 

[TheSideshow]

I bet MSFT has the benefit.

http://careers.microsoft.com/careers/en/us/Benefits.aspx

Microsoft Careers:

We provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for you and your eligible dependents. Plus we offer dental and vision coverage, on-site health screenings, health club memberships or discounts, programs to manage chronic health conditions and quit smoking, access to a 24-hour health-line, as well as office ergonomics resources and tools. Microsoft is also the first major corporation to offer a benefit for autism therapy, providing coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy through Certified Autism Providers.

 

[KingCrimson]

http://careers.microsoft.com/careers/en/us/Benefits.aspx

Microsoft Careers:

We provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for you and your eligible dependents. Plus we offer dental and vision coverage, on-site health screenings, health club memberships or discounts, programs to manage chronic health conditions and quit smoking, access to a 24-hour health-line, as well as office ergonomics resources and tools. Microsoft is also the first major corporation to offer a benefit for autism therapy, providing coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy through Certified Autism Providers.

So Apple clutches to every last of their $87 billion cash horde, heaven forbid to help a few of their employees who have autistic kids.

 

[*LTD*]

So Apple clutches to every last of their $87 billion cash horde, heaven forbid to help a few of their employees who have autistic kids.

They're too busy creating game-changing products that revolutionize entire markets. That is their primary concern.

Maybe MS should do a little bit of the same. Unless they'd rather be an NGO health care provider. Maybe that's a better line of work, considering how their ROE and R&D-to-value has sucked major ass for years.

 

[KingCrimson]

They're too busy creating game-changing products that revolutionize entire markets. That is their primary concern.

Maybe MS should do a little bit of the same. Unless they'd rather be an NGO health care provider. Maybe that's a better line of work, considering how their ROE and R&D-to-value has sucked major ass for years.

Wow - you really have no compassion or heart. Life is not ALL about developing the next iCrap.

 

[*LTD*]

Wow - you really have no compassion or heart. Life is not ALL about developing the next iCrap.

It's certainly Apple's life. Otherwise there is no reason to be in business.

 

[KingCrimson]

It's certainly Apple's life. Otherwise there is no reason to be in business.

Do you realize how ghoulish you sound? Oh and I'm sure MSFT isn't in bad shape because they offered a benefit for autistic kids. For you to make THAT connection is just pure bunk and stupid.

 

[*LTD*]

Do you realize how ghoulish you sound? Oh and I'm sure MSFT isn't in bad shape because they offered a benefit for autistic kids. For you to make THAT connection is just pure bunk and stupid.

The benefit is nice, but acting as if you're entitled to it, and *then* slagging on Apple for not providing it (when there are benefits for more common issues that need to be managed) is absolutely nonsensical.

Are we talking about an actual request here, or just another complaint from people who expect Apple to perform miracles and turn water into w(h)ine? Seems like the latter.

 

[KingCrimson]

The benefit is nice, but acting as if you're entitled to it, and *then* slagging on Apple for not providing it (when there are benefits for more common issues that need to be managed) is absolutely nonsensical.

Are we talking about an actual request here, or just another complaint from people who expect Apple to perform miracles and turn water into w(h)ine? Seems like the latter.

People are not asking for miracles, but a specific benefit provided by many other companies. But no, Apple prefers to be Scrooge.

 

[LethalWolfe]

People are not asking for miracles, but a specific benefit provided by many other companies. But no, Apple prefers to be Scrooge.

One, why are you surprised? Two, why are even bothering to argue? Seriously? Apple could have factories full of 5yr olds clubbing baby seals for $.10 a day and *LTD* would justify it.


Lethal

 

[Shrink]

Wow - you really have no compassion or heart. Life is not ALL about developing the next iCrap.

Do you realize how ghoulish you sound? Oh and I'm sure MSFT isn't in bad shape because they offered a benefit for autistic kids. For you to make THAT connection is just pure bunk and stupid.

People are not asking for miracles, but a specific benefit provided by many other companies. But no, Apple prefers to be Scrooge.

LTD: Maybe I'm piling on, but your apparent obsessive need to defend ANYTHING Apple does is sad and frightening. Your lack of compassion, empathy, and humanity is startling.

 

[KingCrimson]

Maybe i"m piling on, but your apparent obsessive need to defend ANYTHING Apple does is sad and frightening. Your lack of compassion, empathy, and humanity is startling.

You're referring to *LTD* right?

 

[Shrink]

You're referring to *LTD* right?

Absolutely, I was referring to LTD

Please accept my apologies, King, for not making that clear.

I just edited, I hope that makes it clear.

Sorry again...

 

[PatrickCocoa]

Compassion

I'm pretty sure there's no connection between compassion, empathy, and humanity and spending other people's money.

If there were, I could guarantee I could be more compassionate, empathetic, and humane than any of you. I would simply force other people to spend $1 more than whatever you guys would force them to spend.

 

[Shrink]

I'm pretty sure there's no connection between compassion, empathy, and humanity and spending other people's money.

If there were, I could guarantee I could be more compassionate, empathetic, and humane than any of you. I would simply force other people to spend $1 more than whatever you guys would force them to spend.

HUH!!???

I wasn't commenting on forcing people to spend their money.

I was commenting on LTD's post regarding the issue of medical benefits for Apple employees with autistic family members. I felt his comments were rather heartless.

I am not suggesting forcing anyone to do anything with their money.

 

[Heilage]

I like Apple's products better than MSFT's, everything I have heard and know points to MSFT being the far better employer.

 

[Bernard SG]

I like Apple's products better than MSFT's, everything I have heard and know points to MSFT being the far better employer.

I don't know whether glassdoor.com reviews are a reliable indicator but Apple is ranking way ahead of MSFT in terms of employee satisfaction. Apple actually ranks second best among tech companies. Facebook is absolute best among all companies listed there.

That being said, it would be the right thing to do for Apple to include autism benefits. On the other hand that specific benefit seems to be somewhat uncommon as of yet.

 

[chrono1081]

A company with billions in the bank refuses to offer an Autism benefit to any of its employees?

http://blog.puzzleribbon.com/campaigns/campaign-for-autism-benefits-at-apple/

Apple, like many companies, has a self-funded health plan that is exempt from state regulations, and they have "grandfathered" the plan to avoid virtually all the PPACA (Obamacare) mandates.

families with autistic children have huge healthcare costs, with OT, speech therapy, ABA, etc.

Come on Apple! Do the right thing here. This would be really bad press if it got out nationally.

Did you read the link you posted? It never said Apple wouldn't do such a thing, it said that because other companies have begun offering it (and it listed Microsoft as someone who started offering it) people want to approach Apple about offering it.

Geeze you people need to put the pitchforks away for once.

----------

I like Apple's products better than MSFT's, everything I have heard and know points to MSFT being the far better employer.

I wouldn't go that far. I know people who work at Apple corporate and love it. I also know people who work at Microsoft and said they used to love it.

There are many news places that posted this article. None of the people I know were at this event so I can't vouch for authenticity:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2112240/microsoft-employees-walk-ballmer-speech