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Peabody mayor to pitch municipal health reform to council tonight
Peabody Mayor Edward A. “Ted” Bettencourt, Jr. will pitch the city council during their meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight on a municipal health care proposal that could save the city as much as $4 million.
Governor Deval Patrick signed a municipal health care reform law last summer that allows municipalities the power to negotiate better health plans for current and retired city workers. But cities and municipalities must adopt the new law before they can enter into negotiations with their unions.
Bettencourt said he won’t have specific numbers for another few weeks and he expects the council tonight to refer the matter into either the finance committee or committee of the whole.
“We’re talking millions of dollars in savings,” Bettencourt said during a telephone interview today. “Because of that I would not be doing my job if I didn’t bring this forward and look at all options, whether it be joining the GIC or doing a look-a-like plan with maintaining Blue Cross Blue Shield. I’m willing to look at all options.”
Beverly recently negotiated its own plan with its unions for a $1.2 million savings. But after the negotiations Beverly’s unions decried the deal, saying their hands were tied going into the negotiation table and the changes dump deductibles and copays from $25 to $45 per trip to the doctor in their laps.
“I believe in negotiations, I believe in sitting down in an open and honest way and working with the unions,” Bettencourt said. “I look forward to trying to establish something that works for everybody. With the types of savings there is a potential for and at the same time the continuing struggles of cities and towns, I think it’s incumbent upon us to take a hard look and make some changes.”
Peabody City Councilor Robert E. Driscoll said he also believes Peabody could strike a better balance with its unions.
“It’s a balance,” he said. “I think you’re going to see a lot of negotiations come from it. … I think it will be the beginning of the process of negotiations. … Eventually negotiations will have to take place and people will understand how draining the health care is on city budgets.”
Justin A. Rice can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com.
Governor Deval Patrick signed a municipal health care reform law last summer that allows municipalities the power to negotiate better health plans for current and retired city workers. But cities and municipalities must adopt the new law before they can enter into negotiations with their unions.
Bettencourt said he won’t have specific numbers for another few weeks and he expects the council tonight to refer the matter into either the finance committee or committee of the whole.
“We’re talking millions of dollars in savings,” Bettencourt said during a telephone interview today. “Because of that I would not be doing my job if I didn’t bring this forward and look at all options, whether it be joining the GIC or doing a look-a-like plan with maintaining Blue Cross Blue Shield. I’m willing to look at all options.”
Beverly recently negotiated its own plan with its unions for a $1.2 million savings. But after the negotiations Beverly’s unions decried the deal, saying their hands were tied going into the negotiation table and the changes dump deductibles and copays from $25 to $45 per trip to the doctor in their laps.
“I believe in negotiations, I believe in sitting down in an open and honest way and working with the unions,” Bettencourt said. “I look forward to trying to establish something that works for everybody. With the types of savings there is a potential for and at the same time the continuing struggles of cities and towns, I think it’s incumbent upon us to take a hard look and make some changes.”
Peabody City Councilor Robert E. Driscoll said he also believes Peabody could strike a better balance with its unions.
“It’s a balance,” he said. “I think you’re going to see a lot of negotiations come from it. … I think it will be the beginning of the process of negotiations. … Eventually negotiations will have to take place and people will understand how draining the health care is on city budgets.”
Justin A. Rice can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com.
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