Menino Reaches Deal With Boston Unions On Health Care
BOSTON (AP) - Boston Mayor Thomas Menino says conditional agreement has been reached with the city's three dozen public employee unions that would save the city $70 million in health care costs over the next four years.
The mayor says the deal would raise employee contributions to their health care premiums by 2 1/2 percent, and also increase co-payments for doctor's office and emergency room visits, and prescription drugs.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports.
Podcast
The agreement is contingent upon the Legislature approving a municipal health care reform bill by the end of the year. The House of Representatives included in its state budget proposal unveiled on Wednesday a plan to give cities and towns more power to make changes in employee health insurance plans.
The deal also needs approval from the Boston City Council and from the rank-and-file of the 36 city unions.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
