Sam Kulumani v. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association serves as a fiscal intermediary in the Medicare program, processing providers’ claims for reimbursement from the federal fisc. Sam Kulumani worked in its Medicare unit as an accountant (a position called “consultant”) between 1989 and 1997. Promoted once in 1993, Kulumani sought another promotion in 1996. This time he was turned down. Worse lay in store. Since 1994 the federal government has wanted more for less, and every year it reduced what it paid Blue Cross for claims-processing services. The Health Care Finance…