Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Nearly 200 Lose Health Insurance through City


One hundred and ninety two people no longer have health insurance through the City of San Angelo as of January 1, 2011.  The breakdown for those dropping coverage is:

130 employee dependents
37 employees
21 early retirees/dependents
4 "over 65" retirees

An additional ninety one employees chose to decrease coverage.  Most switched to the low plan, which carries high deductibles.

Health reform's pre-existing conditions coverage added 393 people to the coverage rolls.  COSA wiped out half of PPACA's statewide progress.  The irony is the City is an Early Retiree Reimbursement Program participant, qualifying on August 31, 2010.  The program is intended to keep health insurance affordable for early retirees.  Dependent premiums soared 34 to 58% in December.

It seems few local, state and national leaders are paying attention to the shifts.  When will it be too late?

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