New York State
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
FEDERATION afl-cio
1168-70 Troy-Schenectady Road
P.O. Box 12414
Albany, NY 12212-2414
(518)785-1900
(800) 342-4306
Fax (518) 785-1814
April 30, 2012
Angela F. Braly
President and Chief Executive Officer
WellPoint, Inc.
120 Monument Circle
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Dear Ms. Braly:
The Public Employees Federation (PEF) represents 56,000 professional, scientific and technical
employees of New York state. PEF members receive health benefits through the Empire Plan,
whose hospital benefits are insured by Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, or one of several HMOs
including Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO. There are roughly 38,000 PEF enrollees in the
Empire Plan.
The taxpayers and employees of our community pay WellPoint, the corporate owner of Empire
Blue Cross Blue Shield, for healthcare benefits. We were disappointed to learn WellPoint uses its
funds to support organizations such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and
politicians who promote anti-worker policies such as the reduction or elimination of collective
bargaining rights and the repeal of health care reform.
Secretary- Treasurer
Patura Baker
JoeFta
Vice Presidents
Region 1
Bonn.e Wood
Region 2
Region 6
torn Donahue
Region 7
Wffiam Wufsier
Region 8
Vivian Street
Region 9
Verne-iia Chesirr.ard
Region 10
Region 11
Ornsiance Batts
Region 12
Ga:l Noble
Adam oumim
Olubiy Sfcfitrtdemi
■<■«£>
In a recent statement, WellPoint said, "We are committed to participating in the political process in
a responsible way that serves our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders and
customers." WellPoint's actions are clearly NOT in the best interests of our community.
WellPoint's billions come from the pockets of workers, taxpayers, and other employers. These
funds should be used for health care, not to promote anti-worker policies. The 99% should not be
paying to promote the political agenda of the 1%. We note that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association has left ALEC. We call on WellPoint to quit ALEC and stop funding this anti-worker
organization.
Sincerely,
tL^
Kenneth Brynien
President
Mary Kay Henry, President, Service Employees International Union
Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers
Robert DuBois, Director, Employee Benefits Division, NYS Department of Civil Service
Darryl Decker, Assistant Director, Governor's Office of Employee Relations
Affiliated with the American Federation nf Idarherf, ATI -CIO and Servire Fmnlnvpps International I Irann
