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Show emission Ponders Bsvis lasraco Pclisy : By GARY R. BLODGETT FARMINGTON - Davis County commissioners agree that a health and accident policy that was adopted earlier this year is "discriminatory against employees without children." THE ALLEGED discrepancy dis-crepancy in the policy came to light last week when a county employee requested the county to "make up the difference it (county) pays for family benefits compared to what the unmarried employee, or employees with only one dependent, is allowed for health care." Commissioners explained that even though only a part of the dependent's share of the premium is paid by the county, it is a "significant amount" to be concerned. THEY SAID the county pays for all of the employees' premium, but only a share of the premium for the extra amount necessary for dependent depen-dent coverage is paid by the county. County Auditor Ludeen Gibbons said the difference between the cost of an unmarried un-married employee or with spouse only and an employee with a family would be about $300 per year. MUCH OF this amount is paid by the employee, but the county does contribute, it was explained. For example, an unmarried employee with no dependents has a monthly premium of $40.10, all of which is paid by the county. THE COUNTY pays $57.70 per month for its share of a premium for a married employee and one dependent, thus a difference of $17.60 between what the county pays for an unmarried employee and a married employee with spouse only. The difference is a little greater regarding an employee with a family. In this instance, the county's share of the premium is $64.50 per month - a difference of $24.40 between an unmarried employee and an employee with a family. HOWEVER, THE married employee also pays more into the health program. For an unmarried employee, there is no contribution con-tribution by the employee. An employee with a spouse only pays $25 per month and employees with families pay $45 per month, it was explained. "BUT THERE is still a discrepancy," argued Comm. Ernest Eberhard Ji. "Because the county is putting put-ting more tax money into the program for a married employee than one who is single." Commissioners Glen W. Flint and Morris F. Swapp agreed. COMM. EBERHARD said he felt it was "unjust and . perhaps not legally right for ; the county to use taxes to aid a married employee with a , family more than an un- : married employee. It's discriminatory against those who don't have families." Comm. Flint added, "We've got to do something to rectify this mistake. If we don't, someone could end up taking us to court and probably proba-bly have justification for doing do-ing it." BUT REFERRING to minutes of the meeting of Jan. 6, when the new policy was adopted by the commission. commis-sion. County Attorney Rodney Page said that the proposed ! program was not discrimina- I tory because the same : program was offered to all ' employees. "Yes, it was offered to ) everyone," said County Clerk Rodney Walker. "But it was not equal for everyone and I argued at that time that the r program was not fair and was discriminatory against an 5 unmarried employee. I still - think it's discriminatory ; because some employees j don't have a spouse or family." THE PROBLEM originated F when the county changed ; from a private insurance firm ' to the State Employees Health p. and Accident program. . Comm. Eberhard urged the c" commission to renew the contract as soon as possible (July 1, 1980) and at that time : : have the county responsible - only for coverage of employees. , - , "i "I DON'T think we (county) "j should subsidize rearing of i s families and that is what we ! j' are doing under this program," he said. 1 ;: Commissioners took under j: advisement what amend- laments, la-ments, if any, should be made for coverage during the past i: ten months. 1 THEY HAVE agreed to meet with the County Employees Committee to further discuss the matter. h Meanwhile, current 2 employees have until Nov. 1 to sign up for family coverage " under the present program. '- After that, there will be only : one signup per year, on Oct. I 'r 1, for employees desiring the i county health and accident program. |
