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May 8, 2008

It's back: Bill seeking legislators to pay health-plan share

PROVIDENCE -- A bill introduced today would require state lawmakers to pay a share of medical, dental and vision plans that the state currently provides to them.

Rep. Amy G. Rice, D-Portsmouth, re-introduced the legislation in the General Assembly.

“During a time when significant cuts are being made, I find it unfair for legislators to continue to receive free health care,” Rice said in a news release. “It’s time that we, as leaders of the state, set a good example and show that we’re willing to make the same sacrifices that we’re asking others to make.”

The state's part-time lawmakers get a stipend; this year, it will be $13,508. They are allowed to enroll in the state employee health, vision and dental insurance programs, either as an individual or in a family plan, without paying anything toward the premium.

Lawmakers’ full medical, dental and vision benefits cost taxpayers $5,810 for an individual plan and $16,233 for a family plan, according to the news release. Those costs are projected to go to $6,305 for individuals and $17,620 for families as of July 1. Under the Rice legislation, lawmakers would be required to pay 10 percent of their health care costs.

The bill would also ban legislators from receiving any payment for waiving their health insurance benefits. Lawmakers now get a $2,002 stipend for waiving state health insurance.

State employees began paying a portion of medical, vision and dental insurance -- either a percentage of wages for most union employees or, for most non-union employees, 9 to 11 percent of the premiums for individual plans and 6 to 11 percent of premiums for family plans, depending upon the employee’s salary -- in January 2005.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney at 7:05 PM | Permalink

Comments

Those who are getting this freebie will do everything within their powers to ensure that this bill is killed...after all it's easier to take the money out of the pockets of state employees than to pay their fair share. Perhaps BCBSRI should start providing health insurance instead of cash bribes to the legislature...

The people of this state need to start recalling these putzes - starting with The Prince of Darkness - AKA Carcieri...

Let's Make A Deal... | May 8, 2008 7:19 PM link

The RI Legislators were okay with cutting RIteCare back. Let the legislators live without health coverage or find affordable coverage. Then survey them as to how they think anyone at or slightly above poverty level can afford coverage for their family. If they are so ready to say "enough for the free ride" the n they need to get off the train too! Walk a mile in the shoes of those poor families you represent and then we might see some of the higher administration salaries being reviewed and cut.

j | May 9, 2008 8:15 AM link

The only way to straighten out the general assembly is to vote out EVERY incumbent in the next election. Their attitude of self-rightousness and entitlement is one of the reasons this state is leading the fall of the economy.

Henry | May 9, 2008 11:03 AM link

I hate to say it, but the lawmakers will probably take the RI benefits and pay the 10% premium. Then they'll go to their full employers and opt out of their plan.

For what it's worth, it's cheaper for the state to give the lawmakers $2000 to opt out instead of spending several thousands more to provide the insurance

The state needs to pass legislation such that a lawmaker cannot get the insurance unless he/she cannot get it from his/her other employment.

m | May 9, 2008 2:32 PM link

Why should part-timers get full medical coverage anyway?

Henry | May 11, 2008 8:02 PM link

May 8, 2008

It's back: Bill seeking legislators to pay health-plan share

Comments

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