Perfect example that we need change in Montpelier

[kpplus2]

Vermont employee health plan premiums to increase 17.9 percent http://www.reformer.com/state/ci_26768726/vermont-employee-health-plan-premiums-increase-17-9

This translates to a $286 increase in annual premiums for individuals and $780 for a family in the most popular standard plan, according to figures from Dave Bellini, chairman of the Vermont State Employees Association's committee on benefits.

Now here is an example of how Vermonters are effected take a look at this article. I keyed in on this comment as well "Department officials told the VSEA that any surplus left in the state employee health plan would be raided by lawmakers looking to balance a tight budget, Bellini said" <--- did they just say that?? Yes they did


This is what I'm talking about WE NEED CHANGE! Now one might say "wow that's horrible for state employees thank god I'm not a state employee"   I'm not a state employee however this scares me to no end. I want you to think about how this effects you. So this state employee gets slapped with the above and our town asks for a new dump truck, or a teacher salary increase, or the School needs a new roof whatever. What do you think that state employee is going to say? how is he or she going to vote? This effects all of us. What about the business owner that just lost a customer because this state employee has to start making some serious choices? 

I also wanted to bring your attention to the Bill tracker http://www.leg.state.vt.us/ResearchMain.cfm  it gives you the opportunity to see just what past and present representatives have sponsored or support by name. whatever side of the aisle your on I find myself looking at what these folks are doing for us (or to us) down at the state house.

Happy Voting

[trussell]

I'm a little confused at your focus here- is it the increase that needs to be absorbed by the state employees?  Because I think a $60/month health insurance contribution increase is reasonable.  And if a 17.9% increase equates to $780 then that means a state employee can get a family plan for about $430/month- which really isn't bad. 

HOWEVER.... I DO have a problem with the lawmakers simply pulling funds from that surplus to fund other things.  This is clearly an abuse of how the budget was developed- specific amounts were allocated to specific areas of government and (whether I agree with it or not), that's how it should stay... Until the NEXT budget is established.

But yes, I agree that we need a change, not just in the people but he processes.  Or maybe I should just go start my own country.

[kpplus2]

I'm a little confused at your focus here- is it the increase that needs to be absorbed by the state employees?  Because I think a $60/month health insurance contribution increase is reasonable.  And if a 17.9% increase equates to $780 then that means a state employee can get a family plan for about $430/month- which really isn't bad. 

HOWEVER.... I DO have a problem with the lawmakers simply pulling funds from that surplus to fund other things.  This is clearly an abuse of how the budget was developed- specific amounts were allocated to specific areas of government and (whether I agree with it or not), that's how it should stay... Until the NEXT budget is established.

But yes, I agree that we need a change, not just in the people but he processes.  Or maybe I should just go start my own country.

another quote form the article: "What you're seeing is a rebound effect," he said, "We're getting hit all at once."
The VSEA would have preferred to see more modest increases this year and over the past two years, he said, but the Department of Human Resources insisted on the flat rate and premium holidays, Bellini said." 

So Yes my focus had a couple of items that caught my attention first I think the increase is to large. Now I get it, the insurance saying expenses and such have increased on and on. But I would think lawmakers should be focused on a little overhead cover for this large increase. But what really caught my eye was the lawmakers stripping there health care fund to balance the budget that's a failure and what saddened me is more money coming out of Vermonters paychecks which I believe effects us all.

I'm by no means an expert on health insurance nor am I a state employee however this seems like a big hit to those employees. I would like to hear from a state employee and ask them is this a large impact to you or your family? 

[mirjo]

I am late getting to this party, but have to ask--now that the big day is over and all (maybe just some) are expecting  sweeping changes to occur--I have to ask and maybe some day will receive an answer from the cosmos: Does anyone realize that the  complaint is the same over & over & over again? Or am I the only one in my own personal Ground Hog Day hell?? I keep looking for Bill Murray, so I can let him know I get what's going on, but I don't see him anywhere.

It's always, taxes are too high, insurance premiums are too high, spending is too high, we need a change in Montpelier/Washington, because those who are there aren't doing anything right, blah blah blah and blah.   

Just change the date and it could be any year, any party, any and all of the above. I don't recall insurance premiums ever decreasing in the last 30 years, not once has anyone that I know or saw on TV said: "Wow look, BCBS is charging $50 less per month come January for my current coverage, we'll save $600 a year!"

While, I don't agree with the transfer of budgeted money in a government budget, I am sure more than one household has had to transfer money to something it wasn't allocated for; however, if this sort of thing is a regular occurrence, then there is a budget-establishing problem that needs to be fixed. Though, I can't see how an increase in insurance premiums is anything new and has absolutely nothing to do with who's in charge now or at any other point in time, since it's something that occurs annually and is set by the insurance company. I don't see how the state or any employer can say they will do a smaller increase over time? What am I missing? There is a problem with the process that everyone, including ALL elected officials are missing-- until that's fixed, nothing will change. We have a choice to live here or not.

@trussell: New Zealand

[rod anode]

WOW. im just pissed cause shumlin won again

[kpplus2]

Me too Rod, however I was not expecting it to be this close. Hope liberal, single payer, higher taxes, Shummy gets that it was was very close to him being out of a job and re-think his push for socialism.

[nhibbard]

Again, Vermont doesn't scale. You need more non sick people to offset the costs of the sick in a pool. The pool is not large enough, so unless something changes and benefits are changed somehow, the costs are likely to increase. You can't afford to flat rate just to look good to voters. If there is an increase plan for it or start cutting.