06-23-2009, 03:39 AM
yes...laid off state workers will cost the state and local businesses plenty of money in the short term. That is why Lingle is pushing furloughs first.
The reason why hawaii state employees health care is going up so much is because it chose to stick with the largest, most accepted and one of the most most expensive insurance carriers in the country (Blue Cross Blue Shield).
Alaska was in the same boat this year with their state employees and Blue Cross. What they did was put the insurance out to bid. And Wells Fargo insurance won the bid. Not exactly a well know insurance carrier...but everyones benefits remained the same...and more importantly "no insurance premium increases" for the employees. And then all the doctors and hospitals in Alaska had to take Wells Fargo Insurance.
Hawaii state employees screwed up their health care costs by allowing to continue with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii even though they knew that premiums would be increasing drastically almost 6 months before it happened!!
They chose a proven leader instead of an upstart or more appropriately....They chose a name brand instead of a generic and they have to pay the increase!
The reason why hawaii state employees health care is going up so much is because it chose to stick with the largest, most accepted and one of the most most expensive insurance carriers in the country (Blue Cross Blue Shield).
Alaska was in the same boat this year with their state employees and Blue Cross. What they did was put the insurance out to bid. And Wells Fargo insurance won the bid. Not exactly a well know insurance carrier...but everyones benefits remained the same...and more importantly "no insurance premium increases" for the employees. And then all the doctors and hospitals in Alaska had to take Wells Fargo Insurance.
Hawaii state employees screwed up their health care costs by allowing to continue with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii even though they knew that premiums would be increasing drastically almost 6 months before it happened!!
They chose a proven leader instead of an upstart or more appropriately....They chose a name brand instead of a generic and they have to pay the increase!