State employee health benefits won’t see an increase in cost for the time being under an agreement reached between state lawmakers and the Markell Administration.
Instead, the State Employee Benefits Committee will vote in premium increases after an open enrollment period in May, though they will be lower than originally proposed.Gov. Jack Markell had proposed boosting premium costs and increasing deductibles as a way to cover a $60 million projected deficit.
Those would’ve ranged between two and eight dollars per month in new premium costs and an extra $500 to $1,000 in deductibles for individuals and families respectively.
The committee had been scheduled to vote on the plan Friday.
Both Democrats and Republicans wrote letters to Markell, urging him to reconsider his proposal.
Increased costs for hospitalizations and prescription drugs accounted for much of the sudden deficit.