Scotti

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS

I. INTRODUCTION

This case arises from Defendants’ termination of Plaintiffs health insurance benefits after Plaintiffs six-month leave of absence, pursuant to her coverage under a group health benefit plan. Plaintiff brings an action under California Labor Code § 132a, alleging Defendants discriminated against her by discontinuing her benefits. Defendants bring a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the claim is preempted by the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”).

II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Defendant Los Robles Regional Medical Center (“LRRMC”) is a health care provider. Cathy Scotti (“Plaintiff’) was employed by LRRMC. LRRMC claims that Plaintiff was covered under an employee compensation package. The package allegedly included a group health benefit plan (“Plan”) sponsored by The Healthcare Company (“HCA”) and governed by ERISA. Under the Plan’s self-funded PPO option, the affiliated companies of HCA have the right to discontinue employ er-funded coverage when employees are on leave of absence for over six months. This policy applies whether or not the leave is work related. Employees are given the…