Ross Commissioners Argue over Their Health Insurance Coverage

, Ross Township commissioners debated Monday whether they should give up a perk of their elected position—health care coverage.

"We have a situation where we have a budget shortfall and can't pave roads that need to be paved," said Commissioner Chris Eyster, who raised the issue in Monday's regular meeting.

Eyster said the commissioners' benefits were a logical choice for cutting spending.

"We're doing a part-time job that is a public service," he said.

In 2011, the cost of providing health insurance coverage to the commission's nine members was budgeted at $136,000—or about 7.5 percent of the township's $1.8 million budget for health care costs, said township manager Wayne Jones.

Three commissioners—Lana Mazur, Dan Kinross and Gerald O'Brien—contribute 5 percent toward the premium, which is deducted from the commissioners' annual salary of $5,000. A fourth commissioner, Pete Ferraro, is primarily insured through his own retirement benefits but uses the township insurance to cover the gap in costs not covered by his primary provider, Jones said. 

In comparison, a new bargaining contract approved Monday by the board for the township's public works employees requires the employees to contribute 5 percent toward their health care costs starting Jan. 1.

Union employees of the contribute 6.7 percent toward health insurance premiums, and new hires within the township's administrative staff contribute as much as 10 percent, Jones said.

The township is insured through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. In addition to health insurance, the township provides full dental and vision coverage to the elected officials and employees.

State law permits township commissioners to be included in the local government's group life, health and hospitalization policies for employees. Changes in such benefits can take effect only for commissioners elected or appointed after the effective date of any ordinance, according to the Township Commissioner's Handbook, published by the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community development. 

Eyster proposed several different options Monday for the board to consider: excluding family coverage for commissioners and requiring that officials who qualify for Medicare opt for it instead; denying the benefit to those who qualify for Medicare; or eliminating the coverage altogether for the board members—the option he said he most favors.

“I believe as a board we should make a shared sacrifice,” he said.

In an interview after the meeting, Eyster said the 5 percent contributions toward the premiums by several of the commissioners is a “symbolic thing. It don’t amount to a hill of beans.”

Eyster receives full coverage for his health care costs, but asked the township manager Monday to add his name to the list of those contributing the 5 percent. The deduction will start Jan. 1, Jones said.

In response, several commissioners defended their benefits.  

“That was the benefit available when I submitted my petition,” said Kinross, the commission’s chairman. “I’m entitled to the benefits.”

Kinross also recently  Kinross' challenger, John Sponcer, said he would not accept the benefits if elected. t, in which Sponcer received 378 votes and Kinross, 367.  

O’Brien, who Eyster named publicly Monday as one member who should be on Medicare, said he, too, was entitled to the benefit.

“It’s not your business what I’m on,” O’Brien said. “I’m glad you’re taking full account of my health, Chris. That’s wonderful. I think I save the township enough money.”

A township committee has spent the past year reviewing health insurance costs and talking to providers. Commissioner Grant Montgomery, who serves on the committee, said he soon plans to present ideas to the board that could save significantly more on the township's overall health care costs.

Eyster said Monday he would wait for that report before formally proposing action on reducing the elected officials' compensation. 

How do you feel about the health insurance benefit given to Ross Township Commissioners? Is it worth debating? Tell us in the comments.