HomeMy WebLinkAboutInsurance Committee Minutes 03.01.2010HEALTH INSURANCE COMMITTEE
Monday, March 1, 2010
4:00 P.M. @ City Hall
Members Present: Donnie Nelson Monica Salo
Cathy Gabrian Bill Brew
H.P. Nuernberger Bill Sheridan
Alex Wilkins
Others Present: None
H.P. asked Alex if he has been informed about what transpired at the previous meetings. He felt it was
important since Alex will be the one taking it to the council as an Alderman. Alex stated he has been
informed. He did comment regarding the rate increase history of the two companies and it is a concern
but no one can predict what the future holds.
H.P. said the bottom line is you need to be able to afford the premium. At some point, you need to look
for a cost break and many with families will be dropping to the 70/30 plan. H.P. did say he has heard no
complaints about what this committee has done. The city wide vote went very well.
Monica said we had 100% participation with all 64 employees and 4 retirees voting. She turned over the
employee list with signatures to Cathy and they will be kept in the vault with the ballots for one year.
The ballot box was opened and the ballots were counted by all members present. The vote is 31 for
MMIA, 36 for BCBS and 1 non-vote for a total of 68 ballots cast. It was clarified that a vote was taken at
the previous meeting and a recommendation was made to go forward with the majority. This will go to
council on Tuesday, March 2na. If council approves the change, the City Attorney will write a letter to
MMIA, letting them know the City of Laurel will be switching companies. This will be faxed to MMIA
on Wednesday, March 3ra
Bill Sheridan received an e-mail regarding MCA 7-32-4117 - Group insurance for police officers -
funding. This e-mail was also sent to the City Attorney for clarification and he replied that this
specifically requires the city to provide the same insurance to police officers as it provides other city
employees. If the city elects to move to a new provider, it must provide the city police the same coverage
and would prohibit the city from allowing the officers different insurance.
Monica stated this was her understanding of the issue. Bill Brew said there are only nine officers and it
would not be beneficial for them to try and get insurance on their own.
Bill Sheridan stated that all employees will continue to be covered by MMIA through June 30, 2010.
New coverage would start on July 1st, if it passes in the council. He would like to setup employee
meetings with BCBS to allow employees the chance to ask questions and encouraged the spouses to
attend.
Alex said he likes MMIA because it is self-funded and he feels there may be a lesser increase than with a
national company. If Obama care goes in and no one can be excluded for pre-existing conditions, he feels
the rates will sky-rocket for insurance companies.
Motion by Bill Brew, seconded by Bill Sheridan to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Ga rian