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Rep. Best And Sen. Segebart Both Want To Fix Error That Had Legislators Underpaying For Insurance

Legislators in the Iowa House and Senate are nearly finished working on an error that allowed members of the General Assembly to pay lower rates for health insurance. During the recent Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum, District 12 Representative, Brian Best, and District 6 Senator, Mark Segebart, responded to questions on the topic from a concerned citizen, Frank Hermsen.

Republicans and Democrats in both houses have been paying much lower rates, as low as $20 per month for years. Legislators could opt to provide the non-union 20 percent “co-pay” to reduce the State’s portion of their insurance. Segebart, who pays the union rate, indicated a bill to address the issue never made it to the floor while Democrats controlled the Senate.

Best participates in the non-union 20 percent “co-pay” plan but does not believe having the lawmakers reimburse all of the difference in cost is feasible.

The bill requiring all legislators to pay the non-union rate, Senate File 230, was approved unanimously earlier this month and is waiting to be debated on the House floor. If passed and signed by Gov. Terry Branstad, the fix could save the state nearly $500,000 per year.

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