Logan County Board votes on self-paid health insurance

[August 20, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Tuesday, August 16, 2016, the Logan County Board held their regular monthly meeting to vote on several motions and resolutions. All twelve board members were present. One focus of discussion was removing county board members' eligibility for insurance benefits.

Motion for removal of County Board members' insurance eligibility

Insurance and Legislative Committee Chairman Scott Schaffenacker made a motion to remove county board members from eligibility for insurance benefits as of December 1, 2016.

Board member Kevin Bateman said county board members are not eligible because the insurance provider does not allow these benefits for part-time employees.

There were questions about the benefits, whether the county contributes anything to their premium and whether both vision and dental were included.

The county no longer contributes to board members' premiums, though the county did pay for their health insurance at one time.

County board member Chuck Ruben said vision and dental are two separate subjects and should be under separate motions. One is covered by the carrier and one is not.

Board member Pat O'Neill said he feels board members do full-time work by being available 24/7 and does not like taking insurance benefits away.

Board Chairman David Hepler said taking away these benefits may discourage people from serving. He would like more people covered and feels taking it away from the few who use it is not fair.

Gene Rohlfs said that if more board members had health insurance, it would increase the numbers of the insured, which tends to lower the rate.

Emily Davenport said Sangamon and DeWitt Counties do not offer insurance benefits for their county board.

Miles Craig said if other part-timers do not get insurance benefits, in order to make it a level playing field neither should the board members.

Schaffenacker's motion to remove board members from being eligible for insurance benefits failed 6-5-1 with Dave Blankenship, Bob Farmer, David Hepler, Pat O'Neill, Gene Rohlfs and Adam Schmidt voting no.

Rick Aylesworth, Kevin Bateman, Miles Craig, Emily Davenport and Scott Schaffenacker voted yes.

Chuck Ruben abstained.

Chairman Hepler asked State's Attorney Jonathan Wright to review the policy due to some of the questions.

The insurance committee may discuss it further at their September meeting.

[Angela Reiners]