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Moore, Fernandes invite constituents to learn about option to control local health insurance
August 1, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, and Rep. John V. Fernandes, D-Milford, are asking municipal officials and interested individuals to attend an informational session to find out whether the local option to provide health insurance coverage to employees through the Group Insurance Commission is right for their towns. The session will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2007 from 9:00-11:00am in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at the Milford Town Hall, 52 Main Street, Milford. “Municipal officials should take advantage of this informational session to gain a better understanding of the local option that could help their towns bring skyrocketing health care costs under control while continue providing quality benefits for employees,” said Moore, lead sponsor of the municipal health insurance legislation. "I urge local officials to take a close look at this opportunity to control health care costs" Fernandes said. "Double digit increases in health premiums are stressing local budgets and complicating contract negotiations with employees. This legislation present the opportunity to do something real about those problems now or in the future." This bill is the product of more than a year of discussion between legislative leaders, municipal officials, public employee union representatives and retiree representatives. Analysis demonstrates that many communities have the potential to save money both immediately and over the long term by joining the GIC, while at the same time providing the kinds of high quality health care options that state employees, including legislators, receive through the GIC. In many cases, the GIC plan offerings are significantly better for employees and retirees than what local governments can offer, although every local situation will be different and require careful analysis during negotiation. |
