Lake County officials will be look at ways to strengthen county employee’s health self-insurance plan as rising costs threaten the program’s future solvency.
Commission President Michael Repay, D-Hammond, said costs have been trending higher for several years now.Some of the reasons for the spike in annual costs for the county could be due to delayed care because of the pandemic.Screenings and even care appointments were difficult to schedule during the pandemic and that may have led to an escalation of conditions thus requiring more advanced, and costly, treatment.
Beginning in 2013 the county increased its per-employee contribution to the pool to about $17,810 a year, up from about $15,210, a move at the time that brought another $3.5 million per year to the pool. That figure has continually risen. The 2024 annual per-employee contribution is budgeted for $27,800.
The changes helped to stabilize the program. Repay said the funding did well for a number of years and then has been up and down since about 2017.Scott Schmal, the council’s financial administrator, warned the council during budget a Tuesday budget session that while there are funds to cover the insurance plan in 2024, the path the plan currently is on is “unsustainable.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘I live to prevent the pain’: Mom fights for changes at Pa. lake where son drownedThere were no signs warning that swimming was forbidden at a cove at a Pennsylvania lake where a 19-year-old died trying to save drowning relatives, his mother said.
Read more »
Lake Dunlap neighbors excited to see lake water returning after dam collapseInch by inch, Lake Dunlap in New Braunfels is slowly starting to refill nearly four years after a century-old dam collapsed. Millions of dollars later, a new dam stands, bringing the lake back to life.
Read more »
Salt Lake County D.A. won’t charge officers who killed combat vet, citing ‘overwhelming evidence’Salt Lake County prosecutors will not charge the Salt Lake City officers who killed a 38-year-old combat veteran in a March 2022 shootout after he carjacked someone’s vehicle and fired shots on I-15, the D.A.’s office announced Friday.
Read more »
First human case of West Nile virus diagnosed in Salt Lake County in 2023Health officiasls have announced the
Read more »
Adult hospitalized with Salt Lake County's first diagnosed case of West Nile virusSalt Lake County reported its first case of West Nile virus this year on Friday, with an adult hospitalized. They expect there are more undiagnosed cases in the county.
Read more »
Scenery and housing prices draw Bay Area expats to Lake CountyEver since the pandemic began, Lake County has seen an influx of new residents. Max Darrow reports. (9-15-23)
Read more »