ISU; Iowa AFSCME Employees Asked to Voluntarily Pay Health Insurance Premiums

After Gov. Terry Branstad's and Sen. Jerry Behn's that they would pay 20 percent of their health insurance premium, select employees at both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa began receiving letters asking them if they would like to voluntarily pay part of their health insurance costs too.

The letter states employees have until the end of the day Thursday to decide whether to voluntarily pay up to 20 percent of their premiums. Anyone who chooses to participate in the voluntary premium contribution program may also make other enrollment changes like switching to another plan, changing dependents and change their coverage from single to family or vice versa. The change would be in effect from August to December.

This offer was made to all Iowa State University employees covered by the AFSCME collective bargaining contract, which includes about 1,304 people said Warren Madden, ISU's senior vice president for business and finance.

The rest of Iowa State University's employees are not included and participate in plans managed by the university and already contribute more than 20 percent of the cost, Madden said.

AFSCME filed a prohibited practice complaint against Branstad with the Iowa Public Employment Relations Board July 10 for offering the change.

AFSCME leaders said the request was inappropriate because the changes were being made outside of collective bargaining.

In a non scientific 51 percent of voters said state employees should not be expected to pay 20 percent of their health insurance premiums. What do you say? Tell us in the comments.