Guilford county NC healthcare cost increases may cause benefit cuts, Obamacare costs, No pay raises in 4 years, Obamacare is causing prices to go up

“And so our goal on health care is, if we can get, instead of health care costs going up 6 percent a year, it’s going up at the level of inflation, maybe just slightly above inflation, we’ve made huge progress. And by the way, that is the single most important thing we could do in terms of reducing our deficit. That’s why we did it.”…Barack Obama

“However … health insurance rates and benefit coverage plan costs have continued to increase. As a result of those increases, county employees have experienced a pay decrease that has grown larger each year.”…Guilford County Interim Manager Sharisse Fuller

“Guilford (Large NC County) appears on it’s way to a third consecutive year with annual jobless rates in double digits. Economists say that likely hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.”…Greensboro News Record December 2, 2011

We warned you.

From the Greensboro News Record March 4, 2013.

“Guilford workers could see cuts to health benefits”
“Some county leaders say it’s possible — but they hope it can be avoided.

Guilford County commissioners are searching for where to save money as
the county faces a $41 million budget deficit. This month, the
commissioners plan to meet with representatives from UnitedHealthcare,
which manages health insurance for county employees, about how the
company can provide savings to the county.

The meeting has some commissioners nervous on behalf of employees they
say are already struggling.

“I am concerned that the purpose of that discussion will be to take
away some of the benefits that our employees now have,” Commissioner
Carolyn Coleman said. “They haven’t had a raise in four years. We
don’t have the same insurance that the Senate or the president have,
but it’s decent insurance. I think we owe it to them to provide the
best insurance we can.””

“The county has cut costs for the past two years by increasing co-pays,
deductible amounts and out-of-pocket maximums for employees.

“Over the last four years, no merit increases have been awarded to
Guilford County employees,” Fuller said Friday in an email. “However
… health insurance rates and benefit coverage plan costs have
continued to increase. As a result of those increases, county
employees have experienced a pay decrease that has grown larger each
year.””

““It looks to me like Obamacare is causing prices to go up and will
continue to make prices go up,” Henning said. “That’s something we’re
going to have to deal with, like everyone else in this economy.”

“The question is do you raise costs or do you cut services?” Henning
said. “Hopefully, we won’t do either. But health care costs are going
up for everyone. County employees aren’t immune.””

Read more:

http://www.news-record.com/news/826898-91/costs-could-erode-county-benefits