Should Elected Officials Pay for Their Own Health Care?

Submitted by Senator Jerry Behn

Should elected officials and government workers pay something for their health care?

Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and Senate Republican Leader Behn certainly think it is appropriate and this week they announced they will pay 20 percent of their health insurance costs beginning August 1, 2012.

Since hard-working Iowa taxpayers are accustomed to paying for some or all of their own healthcare costs in the private sector, Branstad, Reynolds and Behn said it is time for government leaders and workers to do the same.

Branstad signed Executive Order 78 this week to allow state leaders and government workers to voluntarily pay for 20 percent of their own healthcare. Branstad individually asked all statewide elected officials and department heads to volunteer as well.

A single person, whom chooses to pay for 20 percent of their own healthcare on the least expensive plan, will save taxpayers at least $1,000 annually. If all government workers participated, the plan would save hardworking taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year.

In fact, Senate Republicans offered legislation earlier this session to require all Senators, Representatives and statewide elected officials to pay a portion of their monthly costs. While every government worker should pay something, this bill was simply a good first step.

Unfortunately, Senate Democrats in the Senate Commerce Committee refused to even consider the bill and it never saw the light of day.

Senate Republican Leader Behn said that it is important for leaders to lead by example and he hopes Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs will join in paying a portion of his costs in order to reduce the size of government and allow the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa to keep more of their own money.

Given the magnitude of the economic issues facing our state and country, this common sense step is simply the right thing to do.

As always, I want to hear from you and can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn

Senate Republican Leader

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