21 November 2023
Turbocam, Inc. and Two Harvard Pilgrim Businesses Challenge Discrimination Against Transgender Worker Denied EqualBenefits
Lillian Bernier responds,” I’m only asking for fair treatment and to be treated like my employees.”
Lillian Bernier, a transgender woman who was denied insurance policy by her employer, Turbocam, Inc., for female transition-related care, is the subject of GLAD’s federal lawsuit, which was filed now. Because they jointly created, managed, and ran Turbocam’s health benefits plan, Health Plans, Inc. ( HPI ) and Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan of New England, INC. are also named in the complaint.
Through a self-funded medical benefits plan managed and operated jointly by HPI and Harvard Pilgrim, Turbocam offers medical insurance to employees as part of employee remuneration. Since 2019, Lillian has been employed by Turbocam as a mechanic, working continuously throughout the COVID pandemic. Lillian learned that Turbocam’s plan does not include any protection for treatment related to gender transition when she sought insurance for required medical care.
For exclusion singles out transgender individuals without a skilled justification. Lillian, who relies on her money to support herself and her family, has been forced to put off receiving critical care and pay for medical expenses out of pocket. Turbocam is denying Lillian the exact level of care advantages that other employees receive just because she is transgender by enforcing and upholding the rejection. In the neglect of care, Turbocam has the support of Harvard Pilgrim and HPI.
Lillian Bernier expressed her pride in her job as a mechanic at Turbocam. ” Like everyone else, I rely on my job’s pay and health insurance to help myself and my home. Yet though I contribute to the individual health strategy like everyone else, I have also had to pay for my family’s and my own care out of pocket. I’m merely requesting equal treatment and good insurance for my coworkers.
According to the lawsuit, Lillian’s care is not covered by insurance, which is against both New Hampshire state laws and federal law that forbids discrimination based on gender identity, disability, or sex. Prior to bringing the lawsuit to judge, GLAD first submitted the prejudice say on Lillian’s representative to the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission.
According to GLAD Attorney Chris Erchull, Lillian Bernier’s co-counsel,” Providing less health benefits to trans workers is work discrimination.” Turbocam is attempting to circumvent the rules by maintaining a blanket rejection of cover for medical related to gender change, which they would be unable to do were Harvard Pilgrim and HPI no encouraging the prejudice. Lillian has devoted a lot of time and effort to Turbocam, including on-site work during the COVID crisis. Simply put, she wants to be treated equally to other employees in terms of respect, society, and fairness.
Because Lillian is a trans woman, Turbocam, Harvard Pilgrim, and HPI are depriving her of similar career benefits. According to GLAD Senior Director of Litigation Ben Klein, Lillian Bernier’s co-counsel, that is improper and illegal. ” Lillian wants the same chance that everyone deserves to provide for her family, look after her health, and receive fair treatment from her company.”
In 2022, Turbocam, Inc., which employs more than 900 engineers and produces components for the HVAC, automotive, airline, and other major industries, will make close to$ 200 million. The business has its headquarters in New Hampshire.
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