Some N.C. legislators, employees embrace Obama's health plan

[ProSense]

Some N.C. legislators, employees embrace Obama's health plan

By Joe Johnson
Star-News correspondent

Raleigh | President Barack Obama’s desire to take the nation in a new direction when it comes to paying for health care was welcome news to some North Carolina legislators and to state employees.

Obama outlined his plan for reforming the health care system Wednesday at Broughton School in Raleigh. The standing-room-only crowd in the school gymnasium twice rose in ovation to his proposals.

Dana Cope, executive director of the State Employees’ Association of North Carolina, said the plan outlined by Obama would help the rank-and-file membership of his organization if it passes Congress.

Presently, the State Health Plan is offered as a free benefit, but dependent coverage under the plan is financially out of reach for many state employees, according to Cope. Recently the legislature passed legislation to keep the State Health Plan afloat, but, for it to regain sound financial footing, it has to be more attractive for employees to purchase dependent coverage.

Cope said Obama’s push for a new public option for health care coverage could be the bridge needed for many of his members to fully cover their families.

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[mdavies013]

1. Sounds GREAT to me...we are paying about $240 per month for the kids to

be covered. It would cost another $300+ if I was added to my wife's policy. We can't afford that...hell we could barely afford when my son needed stitches - between deductible and coinsurance - it cost $700....that's with insurance.

In addition, they just doubled the deductible.

Two of our children are covered under medicaid (we fostered and adopted). All procedures covered...no waiting line...no hassles other than showing the new card each month.

[angee_is_mad]

2. This is great

If you work for the State in NC you know the health insurance SUCKS!!!! Starting in 2011 if you are overweight, according to the BMI charts you will have to pay a higher weight.

At least they are giving people a year to get rid of those extra pounds, before they have to pay for those extra pounds.

[ncteechur]

3. Absolutely

As a NC employee, I pay about 500 per month to cover my family.