Study: Town Health Plans Much More Costly Than Private Plans
BOSTON (CBS) – It's no secret: health care costs are eating up budgets in cities and towns across Massachusetts.
"This is a fiscal inferno in which health care costs are just consuming more and more of these precious property taxpaying dollars," said Mike Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
A new study says that premiums for municipal health care plans are 30-40% more expensive than for private health care plans, and significantly more expensive than even the state employee plans.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens spoke extensively with Widmer.
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In some cases, municipal employees pay no deductible and very low co-pay.
Widmer said this has to change.
"Beacon Hill has to give municipal officials the same powers the state has, which is to make modest changes in health plans, like in a $5 co-pay or a $15 co-pay without having to go through collective bargaining," said Widmer.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo agrees with Widmer, but Gov. Deval Patrick has consistently said there should not be a change unless unions have a voice at the table.
