Press Release – March 19, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Drew Volturo (302) 744-4001 or (302) 593-5969
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jesse Chadderdon (302) 744-4282 or (302) 743-0945;
Drew Volturo (302) 744-4001 or (302) 593-5969
Agreement reached to review state’s health care plan, delay spikes in employee premiums
DOVER – Legislators have reached an agreement with the Governor’s Office to delay proposed increases to employee health care costs while a $60 million shortfall in the state’s health plan is reviewed.
As a result, the State Employee Benefits Committee will not vote on the Governor’s proposal at its Friday meeting. Instead, it will vote on a plan that, for the time being, includes no deductible or co-pay increases. State employees will see unavoidable premium increases after May’s open enrollment period, but those increases are significantly lower than those initially proposed.
Sen. Harris McDowell, who co-chairs the Joint Finance Committee, said additional scrutiny of the issue was necessary.
“This is a serious issue and it requires some serious conversations,” McDowell said. “We’ve seen dramatic increases from our healthcare providers. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to both our employees and the taxpayers to better understand the reasons behind the increases and then consider all our options. Then we must take prudent action – not just for this year, but for the future solvency of our state health plan.”
“The decisions we make about our benefits plans will impact more than 120,000 Delawareans,” said Senate President Pro Tem Patricia Blevins. “Yes, this is about making sure our state employees are treated fairly and get a seat at the table, but it’s also about making sure their children and our retirees are spoken for.”
Earlier this month, Democratic leadership sent a letter to the Governor urging him to work directly with the General Assembly to solve the issue.
“I’m pleased we all were able to sit down and compromise on such an important issue,” said JFC co-chair Rep. Melanie George Smith. “I look forward to continuing to work with Sen. McDowell and administration officials to formulate a long-term solution.”
“We’re glad that we now have the opportunity to work cooperatively to solve this issue in a manner that takes into account the tens of thousands of state workers and retirees who rely on certainty and stability when it comes to the price of their medicines, doctor visits and hospitalizations,” said House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf. “The agreement we have reached addresses the issue without placing an undue burden on Delaware’s middle class families.”
As a result, the State Employee Benefits Committee will not vote on the Governor’s proposal at its Friday meeting. Instead, it will vote on a plan that, for the time being, includes no deductible or co-pay increases. State employees will see unavoidable premium increases after May’s open enrollment period, but those increases are significantly lower than those initially proposed.
Sen. Harris McDowell, who co-chairs the Joint Finance Committee, said additional scrutiny of the issue was necessary.
“This is a serious issue and it requires some serious conversations,” McDowell said. “We’ve seen dramatic increases from our healthcare providers. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to both our employees and the taxpayers to better understand the reasons behind the increases and then consider all our options. Then we must take prudent action – not just for this year, but for the future solvency of our state health plan.”
“The decisions we make about our benefits plans will impact more than 120,000 Delawareans,” said Senate President Pro Tem Patricia Blevins. “Yes, this is about making sure our state employees are treated fairly and get a seat at the table, but it’s also about making sure their children and our retirees are spoken for.”
Earlier this month, Democratic leadership sent a letter to the Governor urging him to work directly with the General Assembly to solve the issue.
“I’m pleased we all were able to sit down and compromise on such an important issue,” said JFC co-chair Rep. Melanie George Smith. “I look forward to continuing to work with Sen. McDowell and administration officials to formulate a long-term solution.”
“We’re glad that we now have the opportunity to work cooperatively to solve this issue in a manner that takes into account the tens of thousands of state workers and retirees who rely on certainty and stability when it comes to the price of their medicines, doctor visits and hospitalizations,” said House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf. “The agreement we have reached addresses the issue without placing an undue burden on Delaware’s middle class families.”
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Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov