State grapples with $30M deficit in state employee health coverage

CONCORD — Retired state employees pleaded with lawmakers to leave their health care benefits alone, and not make them pick up a bigger share of medical costs as the state grapples with a $30 million deficit in its retiree health benefits budget.

They packed Representatives Hall on Friday for a public hearing in front of the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, composed of senior senators and representatives, to protest what they claim would be a broken promise by state government to fund generous retirement benefits in return for wages that were lower than market rates during their working careers.

“You 10 elected officials have incredible direct responsibility for the continued health security of not only the more than 12,000 retirees, and the tens of thousands of future retirees, but for the many thousands of family members who love and care for those people,” said Richard Gulla, president of the State Employees Association.

The public testimony came after an hour-long presentation by officials from the Department of Administrative Services on the options the state has in dealing with the shortfall.

Read more: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20160924/NEWS0621/160929560