COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE RATES

  

Discussion of group medical insurance rates brought sharp disagreements to the County Commissioners meeting this (Tuesday) morning.  The discussions actually began last Friday during a budget workshop meeting concerning employee pay rates and insurance contributions.  County Judge John Brieden describes them as “intense heated discussions”.  The discussions center on the group medical deductible and the monthly employee contribution.  Brieden says that he is in favor of not raising those costs:

 

The commissioners had the option of raising the deductible on the plan from $600 to $680 to drop the rate increase from 4% to just over 1%.  Precinct 3 County Commissioner Kirk Hanath stated that he was in favor of raising the deductible and explained his reasoning:

 

The other commissioners stated that after much deliberation, they would also raise the deductible in order to reduce the cost.  Commissioners voted to approve the group medical insurance rates with the higher deductible and keep the employee contribution the same.  Brieden cast the only dissenting vote on the motion.

In other action, commissioners appointed John Snowden as the Local Rabies Control Authority for Washington County.  The county has an agreement with the city to provide this service, but the state is now requiring that the county actually appoint a person.  Commissioners also re-appointed Dr. William Loesch as the Local Health Authority for Washington County.  Judge Brieden pointed out that Loesch puts in many hours in this position for the small stipend he his paid by the county.

Commissioners also approved two interlocal agreements with the Brazos Valley Council of Governments.  The agreements are for 911 service and 911 database maintenance and are the same as the expiring agreements.  They also approved two subdivision re-plats.  A third re-plat in Brenham’s extra territorial jurisdiction was tabled until the county can clarify if it had been approved by the city.

The commissioners also reviewed monthly reports from various county agencies.  County Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke stated that the county so far has received $475 thousand dollars payments for repairs related to the flooding event in May of last year.  The county has applied for a total of $2.6 million in repairs, mostly to roadways.  Ruemke stated that invoices are sent to FEMA as the work is done, and that the process will continue for at least another year.

 

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2 Comments

  1. I absolutely love it when the right trots out G.B.S. — inspirational words from a great Socialist! As an inherently conflicted and self-contradictory writer, Republicans couldn’t find a more apt muse. You say no replacement, just repeal. Great, now we can go back to the ‘good ol days’ of the early 21st century, when everyone was so happy with cheap, widely available, high-quality healthcare!

  2. The great fraud that is “Obamacare” marches on unabated, and it’s obvious failures seem irrelevant. The “affordable care act” – a law that was sold with hundreds of lies, beginning with it’s title, still stands. Its implementation was deliberately delayed beyond the 2012 election, for obvious reasons. It is a law that will bankrupt the country, while also driving up both premiums and deductibles for Americans. It is a law that not a single Republican congressman or senator voted for, yet they can’t find the courage to repeal. When we consider that “costs” have skyrocketed for consumers, we should be mindful that “revenue” has increased for providers. Those same providers then lobby our congress to keep the money flowing their direction.

    It is a law that Republicans universally campaigned on repealing, and voted to repeal, – but only when they knew the bill would be vetoed. Now that there is a president calling for it’s repeal, and asking for the SAME bill they sent to Obama to be sent to him, Republicans cannot find the courage to act. Once again we see national politicians’ choosing a divisive “wedge issue” to actually solving the problem. It certainly seems that we do not have a functioning republic. We don’t need a “replacement,” – we need it repealed.

    The former president recently stated that the ACA isn’t going anywhere, because “it’s been around too long.” I am reminded of the words of President Reagan, “Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.” I am also reminded of the words of George Bernard Shaw, that “a government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.”

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