Under Governor Jack Markell’s proposed budget there will be no raises for Delaware state employees and they may be asked to pay more toward their health care benefits.
The proposals would hike deductibles as well as co-pays for certain services and doctors’ visits.
For example, some employee’s co-payments for a visit to a specialist would go up by $5 to $30 under the governor’s plan while emergency room visits on certain plans would go from $125 to $150.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that estimates say this could save the state as much as $4.8 million.
Another $1.9 million could be saved by cutting payments under the Medicfil plan which is a supplement for state retirees who qualify for Medicare.
Changes in drug plans could also save the state $1.6 million.
Meanwhile, public sector unions are renewing their efforts to get a seat on the committee that will craft health care benefit packages for state employees.
