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Most state employees’ health insurance rising 15%

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BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 - 08:34:23 am CDT

Premiums for most of the state’s health insurance options will go up more than 15 percent in January, according to a memo sent to employees early this month.

State employees will pay almost $50 a month more for family coverage, and about $14 a month more  for single coverage, under the state’s most expensive plan. About 13,500 workers use the state’s health insurance.

State taxpayers will spend an additional $14.4 million for employee health insurance next year under the current premium split: 79 percent is paid by the state, 21 percent by the employee.

Story Photo

The increase, which begins in January, is based on the costs for the claims this year, and the need to fatten up the reserve for the program.

“The state is self-insured, so rates are driven by use and the costs our employees incur in receiving services,” said Bill Wood, the state’s employee relations administrator.

Part of the increase is needed to rebuild the reserve, which had been depleted in recent years, said Roger Wilson, controller for the state. 

“We have to build up that reserve. We can’t live like this,” he said. 

Rebuilding the reserve will be a multi-year project, Wilson said.

The increase for next year seems in line with increases for similar programs in the Midwest, according to Mike Marvin, executive director of NAPE/AFSCME Local 61.

The cost of health insurance plans with no deductibles is rising faster than plans with deductibles, he said.

Four of the state’s health insurance plans are first dollar coverage, with no deductibles. Premiums for the four will rise by more than 15 percent. Premiums for one plan, with a deductible, will increase by 7.6 percent.

“This is pretty much in line with what our international (union) has seen,” Marvin  said.

The state will be looking at other options, including plans with deductibles, in order to hold down costs in the future, said Wilson.

The total annual family plan premium for the state’s most expensive and one of the most popular plans, Blue Choice, will be more than $21,400 next year.  

The University of Nebraska, another large public employer, doesn’t know what its health insurance rate increase will be for next year. Last year, NU had no premium increase.

Premium costs for 30,000 teachers and other school employees who use the Nebraska State Education Association plan went up an average 8 percent in September.

All NSEA plans have deductibles, which have seen lower growth in costs, said Craig R. Christiansen, executive director of the NSEA.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.


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State Employee wrote on September 20, 2007 4:39 am:
" And contrary to published reports, many State employees just found out this week that we are only getting a 2.5% pay raise on the anniversary of our hiring date. No retroactive date, no back pay, nothing. For me that will mean a raise in December this year and next. Meanwhile, management got their 3% raise on July 1st and a large number of employees (deemed to be non comparable to other states by the Union) are now getting up to 20% raises over the next two years. I know a number of $20+ per hour employees who are getting a 20% raise over the next two years, which translates to a $3-$5 per hour increase in pay. These folks sure won't have a problem coming up with the extra money for insurance! "

 Disgruntled wrote on September 20, 2007 5:59 am:
" Guess Correctional employees will take it in the shorts again, since they didn't get the big raises others received. Don't believe the 2.5% increase they saw will cover this 15% increase, which is always the case. Every year we lose ground when working for the State. "

 John wrote on September 20, 2007 7:16 am:
" NAPE strikes again! "

 PJ wrote on September 20, 2007 7:34 am:
" And yet, salaries only increased 2.75 or something like that. "

 Hmm... wrote on September 20, 2007 7:37 am:
" Funny how they just got their raises.. Karma anyone? "

 OH great! wrote on September 20, 2007 7:53 am:
" What a good deal. I get a 2.5% raise and my health insurance goes up 15%. I love making less and less each year! Thanks to all those who made this possible. "

 Good News wrote on September 20, 2007 8:01 am:
" Good State workers already get enough perks time for them to feel the pain of the corporate world "

 still waiting... wrote on September 20, 2007 8:05 am:
" and State employees are still waiting for that wonderful 2.5 raise we fought so hard for. "

 That's OK wrote on September 20, 2007 8:08 am:
" I'm sure we'll all get 18% pay raises to deal with it. "

 Concerned citizen... wrote on September 20, 2007 8:33 am:
" Could someone please do something about health insurance rising out of control? Please? This has recently affected me and now I live each day in worry and concern that I stay relatively healthy. 2 people with no children who don't use it very much are getting absolutely gouged for 830.00 per month on a group plan. It's making blue collar people doubt everything... "

 Wow wrote on September 20, 2007 8:36 am:
" Glad I'm retired military. "

 Fred wrote on September 20, 2007 8:56 am:
" They still have better insurance then the majority of the residents of Nebraska. "

 15% raise too???? wrote on September 20, 2007 9:12 am:
" So will the state give employees a 15% raise to compensate for the increase in premium health insurance? Do they even THINK about how people will afford the cost of insurance? JEEZ, I'm so sick of these yearly increases. No wonder 14 million Americans are going without health insurance. WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. Once again the cost of keeping health insurance is the same as maintaining a mortgage. Remember state officials people in the state of Nebraska have only received a 4% increase in salaries. Look at the people at the bottom of the pay scales, and realize not everyone is making $75,000/year. "

 CS wrote on September 20, 2007 9:40 am:
" Note the 'self insured' part of the premium. If State of NE employees would stop going to the doctor for every boo boo this wouldn't happen. I used to work for the State and every year they would have a huge meeting with the departments about not going to the doctor every time someone got a sniffle or an ow-ee. I guess the meaning of self insured hasn't kicked in yet. Its not the State of NE's fault your premium went up. It's yours. "

 stignob wrote on September 20, 2007 9:52 am:
" It's called a free market, you don't like move on. Nobody is forcing to accept less except yourself... "

 Observer wrote on September 20, 2007 10:04 am:
" Might want to get used to the idea of deductibles and co-pays 'cuz that's where you're going to end up soon. "

 Sam wrote on September 20, 2007 10:11 am:
" This is just another sign that the state workers don't understand how much better and cheaper their insurance still is than those in the corporate world. Let them get a regular job and pay three times as much premium all to get a $1000 or maybe $2500 deductible instead of no deductible. "

 JAZZY wrote on September 20, 2007 10:16 am:
" No employee will get more then 7.5 % with a 2.5% on anniversary date, and that was not for all employees. Some employees are so $ starved(making under the low pay for the grade. It will take these people many years to even catch up. As for the insurance increase many of us had a 22 percent increae about 4 years ago and then the insurance went up 22% which made the lower paid people lossing dollars on paycheck.. This year it's increasing around 15% which will hurt alot of people but those employees that have never had to pay for insurance (if both husband/wife) worked for the state will be feeling the crunch. When a State worker is sick for a certain number of days they have to go to the doctor to get a paper so they can go back to work so it's an office call and that costs. "

 Shadow wrote on September 20, 2007 10:26 am:
" I only got a 1% raise which equals $0.12 an hour more which after taxes gives me about $6 dollars per two weeks. That goes nicely with my college education and high amount of technical skills required for my job. the upside is that i can now afford toilet paper to wipe with. I always wondered what it would feel like to wipe my butt with something the state gave me. Thanks for the opportunity. "

 No deductibles wrote on September 20, 2007 10:36 am:
" Four of the plans have no deductibles? Wow, with most plans carrying $500 to $1000 deductibles, even a 15% increase would be a bargain to me. When comparing percentage increases, isn't the percent to the base amount the amount of increase, ie. 2.5% of $18,000 salary would still be greater than a 15% increase on say $1,000 (I don't know what you pay per month for insurance, this is just an example). Most of us in the private sector see our raises get eaten up by increases in insurance anyway. Welcome to the real world. "

 Nina wrote on September 20, 2007 10:37 am:
" Join the crowd. Increased premiums is the name of the game. These employees are still getting a better split than do many in the private sector, so they could have it worse. And they did get a raise, unlike some other workers. This reminds me of "I felt sorry for myself because I had no shoes; then I saw someone who had no feet." Until we can vote in a better insurance coverage situation, we must just grin and bear it. "

 Stan wrote on September 20, 2007 10:38 am:
" It seems sort of strange that state employees can not see the total picture. As a former state employee paying over $800.00 a month for health insurance I would not be so negative about a pay raise not keeping up with health insurance. I can remember when we received nothing. But only paying 21% for their insurance coverage you are still ahead of the non covered insurance. Sorry but I am not feeling sorry for the increase, however it will cost me more for my coverage seeing I kept my state insurance. Hope there is an option for year 2008. "

 Sylvia wrote on September 20, 2007 10:50 am:
" In the free market, for profit health care is tantamount to ransom. Pay or die. They increase premiums 10-20% every year. Makes me wish someone had some negotiating power over the health insurance industry. "

 don't even wrote on September 20, 2007 10:54 am:
" Ugh, I knew at some point I'd read, 'You don't like it, leave'. That is so unrealistic and insensitve, I can't even believe it. I assume anyone who says something like this either doesn't work, or is fortunate enough to find something lucrative, and has no idea how tough the job market is in this area. People don't often have the luxury of job-jumping, or just up and moving because they don't get raises, and their insurance premiums go up. I am fortunate (and believe me, I know I am) to have benefits that are covered by my employer, but the more people are careless with their health, the more this sort of thing is going to happen. I truly feel for people in this situation, and I wish people in general would wake up and start taking care of themselves.--And you don't need a pill for EVERYTHING. You just don't. "

 No Insurance!!! wrote on September 20, 2007 11:07 am:
" Quit complaining, at least you have insurance!!!! "

 Dave wrote on September 20, 2007 11:26 am:
" Stop whining and be thankful for what you have provided by your employer. Try paying for it all by yourself. Imagine what your monthly paycheck deduction would be if you had to pay 100% of the premium on $21,400 premium coverage. I think you would reconsider your current blessing in the part that the State pays. By the way, who do you think helps pay the difference in the amount you pay and that actual premium for the coverage you get. On another note, please do the math properly before making ridiculous statements. Your pay raise is 2.5% on your entire salary...the 15% increase is only the amount over and above what you were paying in premiums. Most likely you did not lose money. You don't need a 15% raise to cover a 15% increase in premiums. Again count your blessing that you have insurance coverage..an by the way that you have a job. "

 living wage? wrote on September 20, 2007 11:26 am:
" I am a state employee who found out today that I will not be getting my 2.5% raise until June. So, come January 1st I will be making considerably less than I am making now. All of this information would have been nice to know months ago when the union went to "battle" for the little people. I barely make ends meet now and with the insurance increase and no raise I don't know how I will pay the bills for me and my family. "

 russ wrote on September 20, 2007 11:29 am:
" Regarding all the employees who complain about raises not keeping up with the premium increase, welcome to the real world. "

 JMK wrote on September 20, 2007 11:36 am:
" welcome to the real world. Mine goes up every year. And what is stopping you from leaving that job if you don't like the increases? Oh, yeah it is all the other great bennies you get. Go cry on some one elses shoulder as you get no sympathy from me. "

 pay to play wrote on September 20, 2007 11:39 am:
" Thats the bad part about a zero dollar deductible, any little rash or cold means going to the doctor (and getting paid sick leave while you are there). Why wait to see if it just goes away on its own or try and treat with over the counter meds?? That is not as cost or time effective for the indibidual with a zero dollar deductible. Insurance is insurance people, it is meant to protect you from an unexpected $1000+ medical bill, it is not intended to be used on $80 doctor visits. But if people want to continue to use it as we do currently the dont expect insurance premiums to stabalize anytime in the near future. "

 Robert wrote on September 20, 2007 12:24 pm:
" It seems the state shoud have an Health Maintainance Oganization more commonly known as an HMO for lower costs in health care! Your community is lage enough to support this kind of health organizatioin and it has benifits for all who join it. 1950's thinking does not apply in the year 2007. It is the choice of people who keep health care cost in line and not let the cost of health insuraance run your life. "

 nobody wrote on September 20, 2007 12:41 pm:
" Because of these increases and the bills I've had to pay and the fact that I can't make an $780 check (every two weeks) last for three days I am thinking of canceling my health insurance so that I have an extra $65 a paycheck. "

 JAZZY wrote on September 20, 2007 12:44 pm:
" Robert---- we have a health plan which is a "HMO or PPO" it's called blue cross/ blue xhield and (mutual of omaha/coventry). It's still expensive whereever you get your coverage. "

 Taxpayer wrote on September 20, 2007 1:09 pm:
" The taxpayer is billed for 79% of the benefits and your whining about low wages and increased premiums, Quit, find a different job, move out the state, save expenses by stop paying union dues. We all have choices, so stop belly aching. Taxpayers and that includes state employees pay more and more taxes every year, this year spending increases by 5% and since the state doesn’t have any other source of income except the taxpayer that’s money out of ours pockets. The governor and the legislators are so proud their only increasing spending that trivial amount and they work so hard to keep the increases so minimal. As a taxpayer if the state work force was decreased by 50%, I could think about not whining, just as a start. "

 Shadow wrote on September 20, 2007 1:33 pm:
" Not everyone got 2.5% pay increases. Some got more, some got less. What I see by all of the posts is that everyone is using the excuse that we live in a fantasy world or that a 2.5% pay increase as opposed to the 15% increase in a smaller amount is more. on a 24,000 it is exactly $50 which is what the cost of insurance will be going up (sorry no deductibles, your math is a little off). However a lot of people have received either nothing or raises that are less than 2.5% and now have to try and be creative about which orifice we are going to pull the extra money out of. Finally, I can't speak for every state worker but working for the state is definitely "real world" the politics and blatant disregard for employees that have intelligence and the determination to try and keep the job as efficient as possible is the worst I have ever seen. Finally, to "No Insurance!!!"... not having insurance is one of the main reason that health care is out of control. It is and will remain to be your choice to not have insurance, so please do not hold a grudge against state employees because the papers write about them. If you need any references as to where to get, apparently there are a lot of experts in the health insurance business and none of them have any problems with telling you where to go and what to do (just look at all of the posts on this blog). "

 ex wrote on September 20, 2007 1:43 pm:
" The insurance sure takes care of any raises. For the folks outside state employment and especially the rural farm folks. Next time you see us in the truck we may be working not sitting having coffee. "

 Another State Employee wrote on September 20, 2007 1:44 pm:
" yeah the 2.5% raises are as of July 1. my anniversary date is June 29. that means no raise for me until the end of June, next year. that means no pay increase, not even cost of living, for a two year period. oh and insurance is going up 15%. to the UNION and the governor of this state i would like to say, literally....thanks for NOTHING. "

 CS wrote on September 20, 2007 2:06 pm:
" You are all whining because you are going to pay an extra 15% on the 21% that you pay? Good grief. If you all stopped filing medical claims for trivial stuff your premiums would not have gone up that much in the first place. If a body of employee's is driving up their own costs even when told that their actions affect the cost, why do they deserve a raise? Raises in the real world are given out of surplus generated by employees creating extra profit for the employer, not 'because your cost of living went up'. Everyone's cost of living went up, along with their health care costs-I pay 900 a month for family with a 1000 deductible and thats the best my company can do. I don't feel sorry for any of you. I'm trying to start a wellness program to promote lifestyle changes and bring the number of claims and the costs down. What have you done? "

 brian in lincoln wrote on September 20, 2007 2:07 pm:
" I would suggest going to an HRA type of system. For those who use and abuse the current system, having an HRA account that, when it is gone, you are paying out of pocket (up to the maximum for the calendar year). My wife's employer went to this. They pay for all preventative care 100% and we have $1300.00 to use out of our HRA account. The best thing is, if we don't use the whole $1300.00 it carries over to the next year. Our rates did not go up at all this year and only about 10% over the last 4 years. "

 wait a minute wrote on September 20, 2007 2:11 pm:
" I hope all of the State employees who are posting here aren't doing it during their work hours. Talk about wasting my tax dollars................. Most everyone faces increases in health insurance premiums annually. Stop whining already. "

 Okay wrote on September 20, 2007 2:13 pm:
" I wish the paper would stop printing these articles about State employees and their benefits or lack there of. It's really no ones business. All they get here is a public bashing from people who for some reason think state employees are all rich. Not only does the public treat them horribly every day on the phone and in person, but now they have the perfect forum in which to publicly bash them also. If you want to know what all the "rich" state employees make, go ask personnel, they have to tell you. They also have to tell you their insurance costs and anything else that is public record. I'm sure my $13 a month raise will cover this $14 a month increase. Opps, didn't mean to say anything like that, lest I be accused of complaining about my perfect job with perfect benefits that fits every little thing in my life perfectly. I sure missed these benefits when I was on unpaid maternity leave and had to pay my insurance premium in full for the 6 weeks I had with my baby at home. But since everything is so wonderful here I will stay. Jobs in my field are few and far between in this state. Guess I'll look into moving, I'm sure someone will suggest it. Why raise my family here, clearly we can do better somewhere else. "

 Carol wrote on September 20, 2007 2:16 pm:
" The government is increasing your health insurance costs because it can't afford to pay for the ever-increasing costs. If it can't afford to pay for an increase in health care, how would it be able to afford an increase in wages? I remember seeing first-hand the moral hazard of having health insurance you don't pay for. When I was little, my parents didn't get insurance from work, so we had private health insurance. I didn't go to the doctor unless it was absolutely necessary. My friend's dad worked for the city, and she went to the doctor for every cough, cold, sniffly nose, and sore throat. I remember her mom saying they blew always through their deductible early in the year. If people start paying for their health care from their own pocket instead of through reduced wages, I guarantee national health expenses go down. "

 James wrote on September 20, 2007 2:40 pm:
" Those state employees complaining: get another job. Those who think state employees have it made: get a state job; there are thousands of jobs, many available right now. "

 Insurance companies rule the world! wrote on September 20, 2007 3:33 pm:
" Just kidding! I started working where I do now in February 07 and signed up for insurance for the first time ever. I just went without and paid out of pocket every year for my check up. I pay about $90 per month for single coverage, and there are deductibles and co-pays, it's through BC/BS. I don't know what the deductible is but my co-pays for office visits are $20 and $30 on prescriptions ($10 for generics). I consider myself dang lucky to have insurance now, I don't make a whole lot of money but got just enough of a raise switching to this job that I can finally afford health insurance. (It took me 3 years of applying and a 1 1/2 year internship to get this job!) I don't know if my insurance is super cheap compared to others for what it provides or not but if mine went up 15% I wouldn't complain, and the raises where I work aren't really that great, probably 3% a year. I'm lucky that my husband gets free health coverage for himself (it only covers 1 office visit per year and has a huge deductible, no prescription coverage) but even if I had to get both of us covered it would be $214 per month. What is the amount state employees pay for single coverage? Family coverage? I mean, how much are we talking about with this increase that everyone is so fired up about? Just curious. "

 PC wrote on September 20, 2007 3:39 pm:
" Its not the people going to the doctors for every boo boo, its the doctors having you come in every six months so they have a big pay check. I told a Dr that in the state I moved from they didn't have me called back for more and more xrays when theres not even anything wrong with me, like they do in Lincoln. I was told that all Drs. have started doing that. It burns me up. They act like, Oh Oh so you don't know if there really is something wrong until they've already spent your money, then tell you "oh I don't see snything." Just a way to get more money out of the insurance companies. No wonder insurance costs keep going up thru the roof!! My doctor in my former state didn't keep me coming in, I went in when I was sick or for an annual test. In Nebraska that have you seeing them every 6 months. Some of this testing and testing just to see if you JUST MIGHT have something or JUST MIGHT have a chance of having something. Alot of this needs to stop!!! Wait til your retired, then they think the old people will swallow the line, hook & sinker!!! "

 Geez wrote on September 20, 2007 3:47 pm:
" Wow, after the State employee, married to another State employee have to start paying into the pot that they have been taking out of for years, without putting a dime into it. One would think the pot would be overflowing with green. Kind of criminal to think they freeloaded off of co-workers all these years.... "

 Avg Lincoln Taxpayer-Taxed To Death wrote on September 20, 2007 4:04 pm:
" I for one work in the private sector and have not had one raise in my last three years. So you know what I will do? I am job hunting. It really blows, but I am tired of being the victim. If you hate your emplorer like me then start shopping for another job. "

 foxspit wrote on September 20, 2007 4:35 pm:
" Not every state employee got a raise. I know two people at the Dept. of Roads who were told they would get NOTHING. Add the increase in insurance and they'll make even less this year than they did last year. What a crock. "

 CS wrote on September 20, 2007 4:53 pm:
" PC- You went to all the appointments. Just because a doctor says "lets run more tests" doesn't mean you have to. Take some responsibility for your own health. You said there is nothing wrong with you, yet you keep going in every 6 months. There is this wonderful thing called the internet that lets you get 2nd opinions on things from the comfort of your home for almost free! When I worked for the Penn they didn't MAKE anyone go to the doctor, everyone just went all the time as a way to burn sick time, or get a day off, or whatever. Thats part of why I left-the blatant disregard for rules except what got you ahead. "

 Stateworker wrote on September 20, 2007 4:54 pm:
" Being a state employee doesn't always mean your making Administrator pay, there are more employees that are underpaid. Even some employees that don't get any benefits (temporary employees) they are still employed by the state but will keep getting moved around so that the state doesn't have to employ them permanently. Fact is that they are doing the same jobs as permanent employees. Looks pretty good on Heineman's budget. Alot of employees aren't offered benefits. I think State employees are happy to have their jobs. State employees are tired of the way the government is treating their own employees. With out us working for each and everyone of the individuals in the State of Nebraska you wouldn't have answers to your questions on Adult and Child protection, Foster care, Vital records, Drivers licenses,Agriculture, Equal opportunity, child support, Corrections, Labor, game and parks. etc etc. "

 Spouse of a State worker wrote on September 20, 2007 6:09 pm:
" My wife works for the state. She was told several months ago not to expect her 2.5% raise this year. The insurance plan is wonderful and much better than any I've had at any of my positions in the private sector. The main reason we keep her working is for that insurance as it is much cheaper than what I had to pay out of my pocket when I covered the entire family from my job. My biggest issue with the state and its rate of pay is that it rewards the slackers that do not perform their jobs well. They know they will get the same raise as those who try hard and do things correctly. Many of the state jobs are low paying and a number of the workers actually receive state assistance with food stamps and kids connect (free heath ins for kids). I can tell you the best workers in the state government often leave after a short time because they can make better money elsewhere. The result is the state ends up with sub par workers (I'd say 40-50%) who are satisfied at getting by and do not perform at a high enough level. Sub par work of course isn't true everywhere as many times the workers in rural Nebraska have no other options for employment. And occasionally you get a worker in the CPS or HHS that do it out of sincere love for the people they are helping. It would be nice to see the state go to performance based pay increases. That way the ones doing the work could get rewarded while the others can remain at the same wage. "

 actually.... wrote on September 20, 2007 6:41 pm:
" It isn't so much trivial visits to the doctor that are driving up these increases. In large part, it's due to insurance companies agreeing to cover ELECTIVE high-risk surgeries because a doctor may have somehow justified it as being medically necessary. Catastrophic complications resulting from this ELECTIVE surgery are, thus, covered by that same insurance. The result - claims totaling several million dollars for a single employee....all because of an ELECTIVE surgery. "

 soon to be ex-HHS wrote on September 20, 2007 7:33 pm:
" and they wonder why so many HHS employees quit! working for this state is ridiculous. i hope this eventually comes to a strike. we dont expect to be paid better than everyone else, just equal! "

 Egad! wrote on September 20, 2007 7:36 pm:
" 15% is a huge premium increase; don't hear of that in the private sector. Perhaps LJS should do a follow-up story on the purported 'comparability wage increases' as my co-workers in the Dept of Labor won't be getting a cent. "

 CS wrote on September 20, 2007 7:45 pm:
" You say elective, i say unnecessary (potatoe, potato, tomatoe, tomato). Its the same thing. A limited number of employees using a majority amount of services over everyone else, causing the amount and number of claims to go up. "

 Fishy wrote on September 20, 2007 8:54 pm:
" Maybe the Lincoln Journal Star could do a comparison of Federal, State , City, and the private sector employee's pay and Benefits to expose what everyone is experiencing. I work in the private sector and recieved two to three percent raises in pay annually but have seen my health insurance sky rocket. My benefit package does not meet what the government employees get especially in the retirement area. I think once the government employees see what the private sector recieves I think they would feel better about what they have and recieve. "

 Former State Employee wrote on September 20, 2007 9:39 pm:
" How many of you State employees are proactive in your approach to health care? Eating moderately, exercising, smoking cessation and so forth? You don't have to join a health club or consult with a dietician to take personal responsibility. And yes, I have heard all of the excuses: I have children, I'm too tired, not enough time, and so forth. Yet, these same people will spend 3 hours every night in front of a T.V., or have all kinds of time to go shopping or driving around. I know for a fact that when State workers have "meetings" there is a virtual buffet of chocolate, donuts, soda, cookies, homemade treats, and bags of candy being passed around from one person to another! A coworker once commented, "I'm on Lipitor now for high cholesterol, so I guess that gives me permission to eat what I want because my levels will be even lower if I'm on medication." HELLO? I fully understand that it's not just State Employees with bad lifestyle habits. So what's the solution to rising health care costs? Well, you can tell from my comments that insurance costs should be rated individually based on a daily proactive approach to trying to achieve a peak performance body. There would be exceptions of course, but very few. Unfortunately, our health care system is based on being reactive, and not proactive. How messed up is that? Many people learn lifes best lessons the hard way. I would rather exercise by choice, then be told by a heart surgeon that my rehab is going to consist of many weeks on a treadmill or bicycle! It seems that then, the light bulb turns on. Oh well... "

 Yet another state employee wrote on September 20, 2007 10:14 pm:
" Most should realize that a number of state employees did not get a raise, did not get a cost of living increase, but WILL get a 15% cost of insurance increase. A number of employees DO NOT use state insurance and instead use their spouses insurance from the PRIVATE sector. Go figure. You also have to realize that a number of state employees are eligible for medicaid due to their pay rate and that is sad. You don't hear to many people talk about that little tidbit do you? What about the 5 DHHS Division heads that the state just hired with at least 2 making $100,000+. That's two making 100+ while you have several DOZEN working for obviously quite a bit less. Another fun fact, last week the the State Child Care Administrator was in Washington receiving a national award as being one the best child support adminstators in the country. The day he returned the state canned him. Yet another....go figure. "

 Have your field day. wrote on September 20, 2007 11:47 pm:
" http://www.das.state.ne.us/personnel/benefits/2007/open_enrollment_active.pdf Looks like the state pays an extra $300-$1200 per month depending on the plan you choose. So maybe you're not making the highest salary of anyone in Lincoln, but if you have your family insured, you're making an extra $10,200 ($14,400 in benefits paid by the state, then subtract the $4200/year they pay for the insurance) compared to a single person who doesn't get health insurance at work (and then has to pay the whole amount out of his paycheck). Couples who both work for the state get completely free insurance, so if they chose the most expensive plan (and why not?), not only are they not paying any sort of premium, but they are also getting $18,000 worth of benefits for free. So a couple who both work for the state and each only make $20,000 (net after taxes) actually have a family income of $58,000 (the extra $18k isn't taxed). Another poster mentioned that he pays $90 per month for BCBS single coverage (which is the amount a single person pays with the state). Note that the state has to pay an additional 300 for a single state employee each month to get probably the same BCBS coverage. That indicates a problem. Why should the state pay some $400/month to provide health insurance for a person who could get the same insurance for $90 in the private market? I bet that single employee would rather have the state pay him the whole $400 extra each month so he could go out and buy private insurance for $90/month and pocket the extra $310. Unless you have a huge family, this insurance doesn't even look like a good deal (another tangent--someone with 1 kid pays the same as someone with 9?). This extra money is going somewhere--either to pay exorbitant administrative costs or to subsidize people who are abusing the system. I think it is great to have everyone insured, but this current system does not make economic sense. "

 Ray wrote on September 20, 2007 11:51 pm:
" A state employee married to another state employee getting "FREE" health insurance, immediately upon hiring a state employee gets the following; 12 paid holidays ayear, 12 days paid vacation ayear, 12 days paid sick leave ayear. Federal employees only get 10 holidays ayear. If the state would tighten up the rules and the extra benefits given and get 8 hours aday real work out of their employees than maybe the health care costs would not be so high. Quit crying and get on with your work. Your fellow taxpayers are tired of hearing you whine all the time. "

 no insurance wrote on September 21, 2007 2:19 am:
" I can't afford insurance. It's cheaper to pay out of pocket when I go to the doctor. Hopefully down the road I can afford it! "

 whatever wrote on September 21, 2007 5:25 am:
" The bottom line is that cost increases of 15 percent per year are not sustainable. At that rate of increase premiums would double in less that 5 years and in less than 10 years double again. "

 Former State Workers on here wrote on September 21, 2007 6:25 am:
" I have to laugh at all the former state workers who are bashing the current state workers. I have to laugh because if you "truly" were a former state worker. You would know the current state workers have a valid argument. So that means one thing. Not one person who claims to be former state worker on here is lying just to give a false creditability "

 Wm. Morris wrote on September 21, 2007 7:08 am:
" Working for the state is a losing proposition unless you are a manager or administrator. The top heavy system is inefficient when it could be lean and mean. Too many bosses who have proven the Peter Principle. Where I work now the pay is higher and the health benefits cost me way less. It would have taken that 2.5% pay raise x 10 to increase the state pay rate enough to match my current pay for the same type of position. The sad thing is that every state taxpayer is pay for some pretty poorly run state agencies and despite the perennial political promises to reform departments, it is the same old song and dance year after year. "

 Shadow wrote on September 21, 2007 10:17 am:
" What exactly does the number of vacation, sick and holidays that state employees get have to do with the price of tea in china in concerns to our health insurance cost? That by far has been the most asinine comment as of yet. You say that we get those days available to us the day we start. I assure you that we don’t. We earn those hours on an hour worked basis. Married couples are no longer getting their premiums paid and if people would take the time to simply do a little research, they would know this. And also don’t forget that state employees are not exempt from paying city, state and federal taxes and we are the largest employer in the state of Nebraska so essentially you should quit complaining because more money for our wages comes from employees within the state than all of you in the coveted private sector. if any of you do not like our opinions than by all means take a trip to see the constitution and urinate all over it because i can complain all I want to and there is nothing any of can do or say that will ever change the fact that I am simply just a bitter person and I like it that way. If you don’t like it... get off the site and stop reading the journal stars comment board, get a life or get a state job if you think it is so great. Here is the site that lists all available jobs: http://www.das.state.ne.us/personnel/nejobs/per.htm . "

 whatever wrote on September 21, 2007 10:19 am:
" You non state employees keep complaining about the married state employees getting free health insurance like they had a choice in the matter. And, like this great state of ours would be nice enough to reward its employees like that. GET A CLUE already!!! The state does it, because it saves you taxpayers tons of money!!! The state gave the married employees the free health insurance because it was cheaper to do it that way, than to pay the premiums for 2 single employees. But now the state is doing away with the "free" health insurance for married couples, so you dont have to worry about it anymore. "

 BK wrote on September 21, 2007 10:37 am:
" In private business, we got Easter, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years off. Thats 5 days. We got 2 weeks vacation and sometimes couldn't even take that and only take 1 week at a time. Many years we didn't get a raise. An employee's spouse and kids were included on their insurance at no or little extra charge, while the single person paid the premium allocation of the other employees family members!! Men were paid double and more than women, yet a single woman's insurance premium was the same as the single man's premium. In corporate service business, men were moved to non-hrly status, while women were paid hourly and had to ring the time clock, even to go to lunch and ya better not be 3 minutes late!!! Only good thing about getting fewer hollidays was the traffic to work was lighter, and you could get a seat on the bus and not have to stand smashed on the bus for 15 miles, hanging from a hold bar from the ceiling of the bus!!!!Oh yeah, when women retire their pensions are a measley 1/4th or less what a man gets, yet they are expected to pay the same property taxes, income taxes auto taxes, doctor bill charges and on and on. "

 SHUT UP! wrote on September 21, 2007 10:44 am:
" I am sorry to see all the postings on here from state employees who are boo hooing AGAIN! do you really think you are the only ones who are having health insurance costs go up? do you really think that you are the only ones who don't get as much of a raise as they need to keep up with the cost of living? OMG you all need a reality check. This is happening to everyone everywhere. Be thankful that you have a job. Try being greatful that you have a choice of what coverage you have. If you are lucky enough to have a family that does not actually utilize the coverage you have, be thankful. "

 Lucky State Spouse wrote on September 21, 2007 10:50 am:
" My husband works for the State and has for many years. After insurance and taxes he brings home sightly over $700 every two weeks for a family of four. He is a loyal, hard-working, dedicated employee who, if he's lucky, will once in awhile receive a pat on the back for his work. It would certainly help if that "pat on the back" could be replaced by a raise, but I gave that hope and dream up long ago. I work, my kids work, and he works a second job just to pay bills and get by. We haven't taken and vacation in 16 years - our kids don't even know what it means to go on vacation. We live in the low middle class part of town and have never driven new cars. I'm not saying this for anyones sympathy, it's just our reality. For those who say "go get another job", well, we've tried and after a certain age the reality is if you don't have connections it is very difficult to make a change. We get by, but I'm sick of hearing so many complain about lazy, complaining, lucky State employees. It's really not as easy as you may believe. "

 are you kidding? wrote on September 21, 2007 10:58 am:
" 15% is NOT a huge increase in a group health premium. I've seen groups have 30-40% increases. And with a self-insured plan the state has MANY options to reduce their premiums, if employees are willing to accept plans that have deductibles and higher copays. You are paying for the type of plan you are electing. Yes, it is difficult to accept having to pay more for Dr visits and procedures if you are not used to it, but consider how much you would save in premiums vs paying a little bit more for care out of your own pocket. "

 I don't understand... wrote on September 21, 2007 1:00 pm:
" ....why people are talking about the benefits of state workers as far as holiday and vacation. If they are there, they get paid, if they are not there, they get paid. It's the same amount either way. I don't think a few extra days per year is really enough to cause so much inefficiency that they have to hire a bunch of extra people. Who the heck gets told by thier boss that since there are holidays thier work doesn't have to be done? Everyone in every job who has time off has to either bust thier behind to get it done prior to absence or immediately upon return, so enough about the holiday and vaca time already. It isn't even making an impact, plus, we are talking about insurance here. "

 A Comparison wrote on September 21, 2007 1:41 pm:
" I work for the State and my husband works in the private sector though I would not describe his job as "corporate". We save 25% each month by insuring our family of three through his work's insure than through what I could get for insurance. Also, to all those people who think State worker's don't know what deductibles or co-pays are let me assure you the plans offered through the state requires co-pays as well. And the "good" plans without deductibles are excluded from people that live in the Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding areas. Where do you think most State workers live? "

 get the facts wrote on September 21, 2007 2:15 pm:
" I don't know where everyone gets the idea that state employees run to the Dr. for every little sniffle. I work in an office of 30 people who are rarely gone on sick leave. We get stuff over the counter and come into work because we all have high caseloads and the work has to be done. "

 C wrote on September 21, 2007 3:40 pm:
" I would love to pay only $50 a month for family coverage...we pay $212 every other week for our family of 5...just tells me I need a job with the state! "

 wrong again wrote on September 21, 2007 6:55 pm:
" whatever's comment about it being cheaper to provide health insurance to two people for free than to charge one for insurance is flat out wrong. The state would not pay premiums for two single people, they would get one family coverage plan like every with a non-state-employed spouse. Then, instead of the state paying 100% of the premium of a family plan like they have been doing, the state would only pay 79% of the plan like they do for everyone else so the married couple will now have to pay 21% of their coverage. Bottom line is the state is saving 21% on every couple who now has to pay a little for coverage. The state will probably save even more because I bet anything these married couples pick a more economical plan when they have to pay part of the premiums out of their own pocket. "

 airedale wrote on September 21, 2007 7:32 pm:
" Be thankful that you folks have jobs. A lot of people in this state don't have one. "

 CS wrote on September 21, 2007 8:17 pm:
" Get the Facts-because your premiums keep going up in response to the use of the program. If less people file claims, the rates don't go up as much or at all. Thats that way insurance works for everyone-as as a former state worker it was drilled into my dept to not go to the doctor for every little thing because it would cost everyone later. "

 Former State Worker wrote on September 21, 2007 10:41 pm:
" Yes, I do have credibility being a FSW. I know the "system" pretty well. I'm not bitter and ganging up on the current State workers. However, you must admit that being a State worker isn't such a bad gig. There are certainly worse places to work for less money and less benefits. It's not the best, it's not going to pay you high wages, it's not the best insurance plans, but it's a job that gets the bills paid. I only ask that you State workers who are not happy and are complaining do what I did: I left and found a sweet job with sweet benefits! Take a risk and get out of there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

 What Raise wrote on September 25, 2007 1:20 pm:
" I just received my raise for 2007, I was in the class of employees selected to get a 7% to 10% raise. Well my check hit the account and it was a .05% raise that's half a percent for those doing the so called complicated calculations. Know the facts before you criticize. "

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