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October 30, 2003GT nixes insurance cutIt would have affected dozens of retireesByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - County commissioners will continue a supplemental health insurance rider used by dozens of retired Grand Traverse workers that was almost sliced by the budget ax. The county board Wednesday night unanimously agreed to reinstate the health care coverage for at least another year, to give the commissioners and retirees time to come up with a way to contain its spiraling costs. The board last month decided to eliminate the supplemental or "wrap" insurance coverage - which fills in gaps in federal Medicare benefits when retirees turn 65 - as a cost-cutting move. It was among more than $3 million in operational costs that were trimmed as the board balanced the 2004 general budget of some $33.2 million, which is down by a half-million dollars from the 2003 spending plan. The proposed cut drew a host of complaints from retirees earlier this month, who were faced with paying the $300-plus monthly premium. Because of those concerns, commissioners came up with a proposal to continue the coverage through 2004 and set up a committee to study some long-range options for the board. In the meantime, the board approved a $10 increase in the co-pay for the coverage next year, which board Chairman Pete Strom said will save the county around $44,000 next year. The cost of the supplemental coverage, received by more than 50 retirees, was projected at more than $220,000 next year. "We felt we were able to come up with a good compromise," Strom said.
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