Public employers modify benefits - Kansas City Business Journal:

http://amiranpac.org/article/University-Lecturer-Receives-National-Recognition--UK.html
The survey found 72 percent of public employersw are increasing or considering an increase intheird employees’ deductibles, co-insurance or In addition, 74 percent of publixc employers are increasing or considering an increas in employee premiums. When asked why they were considerinvhigher deductibles, 46 percent of publi c employers cite the financial crisis. And 45 percent cite the economivc downturn as the reason why they are thinkinh about higheremployee premiums. “These findings are surprising.
Although cost-sharing measures have been commob in the corporate world for quite some public employers have traditionally not modifiedtheirf health-care plans in this direction,” says Sallyh Natchek, the foundation’s senior directoe of research. “The fact that the majority of publixc employers are nowincreasing deductibles, co-pays and premiums illustrate the dual effect rising health-care costs and the financial crisiw are having on their plans.” Other cost-savingf programs that public employers are instituting includs adding a consumer-driven health plan, shifting to a self-funded plan and introducinfg spousal surcharges.
Nearly three-fourths of public-plan sponsors are placingf more emphasis oncontrolling prescription-drugg costs. The majority of public employers are expanding participanty education about drug options and increasing co-payments or co-insurance for drugs and mandating the use of generivc drugs, the survey found. The Internationaol Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans isa Wisconsin-basex nonprofit providing information on employee benefits, compensation and financial literacy.