House Budget Includes Health Insurance Increase for State Workers.

On Wednesday, April 16, the House Ways and Means Committee released its budget proposal for FY 2009.  The $28 Billion spending package includes Governor Patrick’s proposal to increase health insurance premium shares for state workers.   

Under the plan proposed by the Governor and seconded by the House budget, state employees earning under $35,000 annually would pay 15% of their health insurance premium; state employees who earn between $35,000 and $50,000 would pay 20%; and state employees who earn over $50,000 would pay 25% of the total premium.   

If this proposal becomes law, some state employees could see their premiums increase by up to 66% over what they currently pay. 

Representative Marty Walsh is expected to file an amendment to the House budget to preserve the current rate structure.  Even though Rep. Walsh and 106 other members of the House of Representatives urged House budget writers to maintain the current contribution rate structure, the House leadership did not listen. 

It is now up to us to make sure that our message is heard.  State employees don’t earn enough money to be able to easily absorb such a sharp increase in health insurance costs.   

YOUR voice is needed:  Please click the Take Action link to send your State Representative an email in support of Rep Walsh’s amendment.    

The House is expected to debate the budget during the week of April 28, so ACT immediately.

 For more information on the budget, please contact Jim Redmond at (617) 241-3343