Health Care Committee
On March 15, 2004, the Health Care Committee met and approved changes in the City's health care program to help contain costs. At the present time, the committee opted to keep PRM as the program administrator for the plan and to modify the program to join a PPO network of providers. Among the major changes were an increase in the major medical deductible from $100 single/$200 family to $200 single/$400 family for PPO network service providers and $400 single/$800 family for use of non-network service providers. Coinsurance was also changed to 80% of the first $2,500 per person and 60% of first $2,500 per person for non-network providers from 80% of the first $2,000.
The program will also include a prescription drug program to take advantage of discounted drug prices for generic, brand and maintenance drugs.
Also, effective April 2004, the City is implementing the $50/ month co-pay provision as negotiated and established by ordinance.
Modifications in the health care program also resulted in improved benefits in various areas such as preadmission testing, annual routine physicals, well baby care, gynecological / mammogram exams, and lifetime maximum per person.
As a result, it is estimated the City should realize an approximate 25% reduction in costs compared to the previous traditional plan once the modifications are fully implemented. Hopefully, the changes coupled with a better claim year than 2003 will help in the stabilization of costs. As agreed, the Health Care Committee will continue to shop the plan with other possible providers and can change the program should it be advantageous.
Meetings to answer employee questions regarding changes in the plan have been scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2004 and the next Health Care Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2004.
Legislation
As per legislation on the agenda, the application for Mahoning County Local Development Program funding is currently being prepared to obtain $36,904 to be used as a part of the local match to address the Beechwood/SR6l6/Lakeshore Water Management Project.
MRCO
The Finance/Grants, Environmental Issues, Transportation and Development
and Marketing and Outreach Subcommittees have been meeting to work on the various
tasks identified at our recent MRCO Planning Committee meeting on February 25, 2004.
The main focus is to identify additional areas for environmental assessment and
remediation funding through Clean Ohio or the Federal Brownfield program, funding for
internal roadway improvements in conjunction with the Walton St Bridge and extension
of Bob Cene Way, and informing and involving the private sector more actively in MRCO
planning activities through an informational bulletin advising them of what the MRCO can
do to assist them.
Clean Ohio Assistance Fund
On Tuesday, March 23, 2004, official notification and contracts were received
from the Ohio Department of Development for the COAF grant to perform Phase II
assessments on the former coke works site. After review and upon execution of the
contracts, the process of contracting with a certified professional will be undertaken.
