NEW: Senator Wants to End Free Health Care for Lawmakers
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
A state senator is calling for an end to one of the better perks of serving in the General Assembly—getting health care benefits without having to contribute anything towards the cost.
Sen. William A. Walaska (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), has introduced legislation that would mandate legislators receiving health insurance to pay 15 percent of the premium and eliminate the lump sum payment of $1,500 for those declining insurance.
“What I do not think is fair is for legislators—who are in essence part-time state employees—to be able to choose to pay or not to pay,” said the Senator, “Legislators should not be the exception to the rule.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFor legislators currently receiving health insurance, the majority pays 10 percent or less, of their premiums, with 13 individuals paying 20 percent. For those who waive coverage, 24 refuse the lump sum payment, while 21 accept.
Senator Says It’s About Fairness
In contrast to state lawmakers, since the middle of last year, state employees have been paying between 14 and 25 percent of their premiums, depending on their salary and whether they opt for individual or family coverage.
In the grand scheme of things, the savings contained in his bill would have little effect on the state budget, but Walaska says that bill is not only about saving money but also is about fairness.
The senator said that the proposed figure of 15 percent is a reasonable amount based on legislators’ salaries—which currently are slightly less than $14,000 per year—and that it would be comparable to the percentage paid by state employees on the lower end of the pay scale.
The bill is currently before the Senate Committee on Finance.
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