Verizon plans to offer free healthcare iPhone app to appease strikers
By ONANTZIN News
2011-08-10
Mid-Atlantic, US -- After three days of costly strikes by more than 40,000 workers, Verizon communications announced a compromise that offers a free healthcare iPhone app to its disgruntled employees, whose purported rationale for the strike stems from inadequate health benefits.
In a statement earlier today, a spokesperson for Verizon praised the decision and said, "This constitutes a truly innovative solution that will revolutionize healthcare costs."
According to Verizon, the new iPhone app will connect directly to a medical professional who will be able to examine the patient via the iPhone camera and make a diagnosis. Upon diagnosis, a prescription will be issued which will be accessible to pharmacies through the iPhone.
If a surgical procedure is required, the app will allow the medical professional to provide step-by-step instructions so that the patient can perform the risky operation himself – a process that will save the patient thousands of dollars.
As an added feature, if the medical professional is not available, an interactive assistant named Dr K-vor-kian will be available to provide diagnosis and minor surgery instructions to the patient.
"Not only are we going to honor their demands; we're also inventing new technology in order to do so. What more could they possibly want?" said Pete Thilborn, a Verizon executive who will be overseeing the software development of the app.
Verizon employees are not as optimistic, however, and many have rejected the proposition. "Given our salaries and our lousy benefits, we can't even afford the iPhone, so what's the point of them making an app for it?" said Marisa Hidalgo, a 9-year Verizon employee, who claims that Verizon has refused to give her retirement benefits.
A younger employee, Lee Santos, believes the app might be a bit too revolutionary. "I'm definitely for finding ways to cut costs, but I'm not sure if this is the right approach. To begin with, most people will not have the proper tools at home to perform surgical procedures on themselves. What are we supposed to do if we don't have the right tools," said Santos.
Verizon claims that the new healthcare app will alleviate the grievances of many of its employees and is optimistic that the workers will sign on once they understand the full benefits of the app. The company said it hopes to begin developement on the app by September.