On Thursday (1/28), the JBC will undertake figure setting for state employees' total compensation.  It is critical JBC members here from you TODAY and suggest that the Kaiser Permanente settlement dollars be used to offset premium increases in FY10/11. 

We understand the state faces unprecedented fiscal choices. However the legislature should consider the fact that state employee health care costs are expected to increase by higher 8% in FY10-11. This will occur on top of a proposal to cut state employee wages by 2.5%.

By transferring the Kaiser Permanente settlement dollars ($3.3M in 09/10, $3.3M in 10/11), the legislature can alleviate some of the burden that these increased premiums will put on the backs of the workforce and attract and retain quality employees. These dollars were either a result of overpayment on the part of beneficiaries or services that were not rendered, and are therefore a rebate on excess premiums paid by state employees. As such, they should be used to handle increased premiums this year.

These emails should go out NOW.  We cannot emphasize enough that emails need to be *respectful and constructive* in tone and substance. Here are JBC members' contact info:
 
SEN. (MOE) KELLER - moe.keller.senate@state.co.us
SEN. (ABEL) TAPIA - abel.tapia.senate@state.co.us
SEN. (AL) WHITE - al.white.senate@state.co.us
REP. (JACK) POMMER - jack.pommer.house@state.co.us
REP. (MARK) FERRANDINO - mferrandino@yahoo.com
REP. (KENT) LAMBERT - rep.kent.lambert@comcast.net
 
Contact Brian Tanner at brian.tanner@cowins.org with any questions.