Wisconsin: Starting now, state worker's families to pay more for medical care

[Scuba]

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/starting-now-state-workers-families-to-pay-more-for-medical/article_a8df6b70-3407-11e1-9e98-001871e3ce6c.html


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State workers and their families will pay more for medical care starting Jan. 1 under the latest changes to emerge from a state law that wiped out most public employee union rights.

The changes in the state health plan require 183,000 participants to pay 10 percent of their bills for doctor visits, tests, surgeries and hospitalizations up to an annual maximum of $500 for single people and $1,000 for families.

The changes are part of a 5 percent reduction in the state health insurance system required under Act 10, the so-called budget repair bill that set off weeks of mass demonstrations at the Capitol before it was passed by the Republican majority in the Legislature and signed by Gov. Scott Walker.

The pension change reduced paychecks by 5.8 percent, while health plan participants pay 12 percent of their premiums. Monthly health premiums that are deducted from paychecks increased to $208 from $89 for the most popular family coverage, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. The premium decreases slightly in 2012 to $201 because of changes in costs, said Bill Kox, state director of health benefits and insurance plans.


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Before you conclude that the State employees still have a decent plan, remember that for decades State workers have accepted lower salary levels in exchange for better benefits.

Now they're getting beaten up on both fronts.

[MichiganVote]

1. Higher in Michigan with the bastards we voted in.

[Sabriel]

2. Yep, we sure are

I was hired in 2003 with a Ph.D., and I'm taking home less today than when I started. Plus, I'm making less than the students I had in class 8 years ago. That's with more than 22 years of experience in my field.

Overpaid state worker here!!!!

[Scuba]

3. See you on the Square. n/t