WR council tables plan regarding medical costs

kriner@sunmulti.com

With the cost of healthcare rising throughout the country,

the Warner Robins City Council is feeling the pinch as well and discussed changes

that would help offset these increases in the long run.

The resolution that was tabled after a brief discussion at

Monday’s meeting proposed the following changes in the city’s health plan:

First, it would increase the brand name prescription cost from

$25 to $50 and mail order prescriptions from $35 to $75.

Councilman Mike Davis said, “I understand the big savings

with these changes that the plan will have overall, but I see a lot of problems

coming from this for our employees. I am opposed to this increase.”

Councilman Daron Lee echoed what Davis said and stated that

he personally takes medications for which he can only take brand names. He

noted that most likely there are employees who have the same issue and

questioned the affordability for the employees.

The second change to the plan would increase the emergency

room copay to $100. Lastly, the resolution called for an increase in doctor’s

office co-pays to $20.

Brian Fobbus, the human resources director for the City of

Warner Robins, gave the council a rundown on the total cost savings overall if

the plan changes were made.

Fobbus said the total savings would be nearly $245,000

annually with $193,000 of that coming from the brand name prescription cost

increase.

The council didn’t vote on the issue Monday, but it is

expected to bring the issue back for a vote.

Another agenda item that was tabled was a contract of

agreement to give John Hughes of National Support Services an exclusive right

to work with the city to conduct phase two of a feasibility study to see if

Middle Georgia would support a minor league baseball team.

Discussions got somewhat heated by some council members

noting that it was the first time they had seen the contract. Lee wanted to see

a presentation on what is proposed.

Hughes told the council that he would give a presentation as

long as it wasn’t open to the public. He explained divulging information

publicly could hurt his investment in the beginning stages.

The Houston County Board of Commissioners and the Houston

County Development Authority have already approved the discussed contract.

In other business, the council presented employee service

awards, swore in two police officers and heard a brief presentation of the

first Boys and Girls Club golf tournament that is to be held at International

City Golf Course on May 17.

HHJ News