Kodak requests retiree committee; Medicare enhancement motion on hold

By Caroline Salls

Pittsburgh, April 4 - Eastman Kodak Co. has asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to appoint a committee of retired employees for its Chapter 11 case, according to a Wednesday court filing.

Kodak said its current goal is to maintain critical retiree medical and survivor benefits while significantly reducing its retiree medical and survivor benefits costs.

In its ongoing review of its retiree medical and survivor benefits programs, the company said it considers whether specific benefits provide core coverage and whether specific benefits can be replaced manageably in the open market.

According to the motion, Kodak believes it is best to withdraw an earlier Medicare enhancement motion pending appointment of a retiree committee.

As a result, the company said it is not proposing to modify retiree medical and survivor benefits at this time.

However, Kodak said it is in the best interest of its estates to suggest the formation of a retiree committee to act as the authorized representatives of the retirees in connection with future proposals to modify these benefits during the Chapter 11 cases.

A hearing is scheduled for April 16.

Kodak is a Rochester, N.Y.-based imaging technology products and services provider to the photographic and graphic communications markets. The company filed for bankruptcy on Jan. 19. Its Chapter 11 case number is 12-10202.

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