Shame on BSC. Tragedy Could Have Been Averted. 

I have sad and disturbing news to report this month. Tragically, Ken Jones, a retired SF firefighter, passed away from cancer recently, following months of denied care by the City’s health care provider Blue Shield of California. This tragedy could have been averted, or at minimum his life extended, had BSC not denied him critical medical care when he needed it most. 

Protect Our Benefits has been at the forefront of the fight to call out BSC officials for lack of timely and necessary care. We have gone to the media about the problems with BSC, we have joined Ken Jones and his family in speaking out to the media and as a result, Ken’s tragic story has been featured in print and TV articles about him and his past as a city firefighter.  By law cancer is considered as job related.  We have the ear of our elected officials at City Hall, who we meet with regularly, about the problems our members are encountering with BSC.  POB continues to hold meetings with BSC representatives about these many problems, but it’s not enough.  

We regularly hear from our SF city and county retirees about the troubles they are having with BSC and the questionable level of care they are receiving.  Regular cancer drugs denied.  Regular screenings denied.  

BSC must step up and take care of the 41,000-plus retirees who have given their life and oftentimes their health to this great City. City officials must hold BSC accountable. We will continue the fight. 

Another Hero Lost

I’m also sad to report that we have lost another POB hero – Anthony “Tony” Fazio, one of the founding members of our organization. Tony finally succumbed to his cancer diagnosis following a valiant two-year fight. Tony was instrumental in getting POB off the ground, as well as running a successful campaign for our supplemental COLA in 2024. You can read his obituary here. We wish his family the best.

In Solidarity,

Fred Sanchez
Protect Our Benefits
President