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With cancer treatment came the loss of a job

    Re the Feb. 2 article, “Woman sues city for unpaid time off — Cancer screening law examined”: I read about the city employee not paid for her visit to get a mammogram. It’s such an important thing for women to do. Most of the offices that offer it are usually only open during the hours when women work. I understand if a woman is healthy, it makes for a better work force.
    Here is my question: If there is an organization helping women to receive one hour’s pay for medical leave while this woman still has a job and health insurance, why isn’t there a law or someone to turn to when a woman works at a job at a company and discovers a lump through self-examination, goes to the doctors, has surgery and finds out it’s cancer? Then she is terminated by her employer and loses all of her insurance while she is getting chemo.
    I’m writing in regard to my sister, who found a lump in September 2007 and was called in November and told on the phone, while in the bathroom sweeping her hair she was losing off the floor, that she lost her job and her insurance was cancelled as of the first of 2008. Now she can’t pay her bills and is being helped by family members with her rent.
    She had every intention of returning to her job, but the job was filled. Right now she is still sick from chemo and has not been able to recover fast enough to try to go get another job. In the meantime she did get food stamps and can go to a food pantry.
    This was a woman who all her life worked and paid into the system and never asked for a handout. All she needs is a little help to tide her over until she is no longer sick and is strong enough to try to find a job to help support herself.
    I admire Catherine Moran for standing up for herself, and her CSEA attorney for speaking up for her. But who will speak up for my sister?
    MERILYN BAKER
    Ballston Spa

Wouldn't the family leave act cover this??? You dont get paid but are guaranteed employment.....

Quoted from senders

Wouldn't the family leave act cover this??? You dont get paid but are guaranteed employment.....

Up to a point, I believe so, but I don't know exactly what point that is.

I find this hard to believe. There must be more to this story. My husband was out of work for 8 months when he had cancer and he went back to his place of employment and at the same job he left. I was also out of work for 10 months with a broken leg and I went back to work at my same position. Both of our insurances were never cancelled either.

The family leave act is for 3 months for companies that have 50 or more employees. There is no pay but your job is guaranteed when you return.

I had a good friend- he worked for the Postal Service 14 years- he was diagnosed with Cones disease  3 years ago-
By the time he died- last year the Postal insurance  had  " evaporated "- he was forced to sell his house he -his wife and 2 children moved in with his mom  where he died - so much for Postal coverage- just dont get too sick

And we wonder why some people get a gun and 'go postal'!!