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8/25/8 Balancing City
Budget on Employees' Backs?
I'm a Dallas Police Officer.
The employee health insurance cost for this budget year is increasing. My yearly
costs are rising from $6132 (myself and my children) to over $16440 (family
coverage). I no longer have the option of just covering myself and my children.
Now, I must pay for coverage for my wife, which I
don't need or want. This means my $255 paycheck
deduction will increase to $685. This is roughly 30% of my gross pay.
Since it's obvious no city employees are getting a 20% pay increase to help
offset the health care increase, we are having to make tough choices.
I won't go into the $3,000 deductible that has
to be met before any benefits are actually paid.
Previously, our options were Employee Only, Employee & Spouse, Employee &
Children or Employee & Family. The City dropped the Employee & Children option.
This is a big deal as many spouses of employees have their own insurance.
The cost
difference between covering your spouse is significant.
Why double cover your
spouse if it isn't necessary? Especially, if your spouse has free or cheaper
insurance from their employer?
Why pay for spousal coverage if you don't have a
spouse? Can you imagine being a single parent and having to pay increased costs
for coverage you don't need?
It is obvious the City of Dallas continues to balance the budget on the backs on
city employees.
It is also obvious the City of Dallas would rather not offer medical
benefits at all. By increasing rates and
decreasing coverage, the City of Dallas is sending a message it doesn't want
anyone to use it's "benefits."
Many city employees, both civilian and sworn,
now are having to make very difficult decisions.
Do we cancel our coverage and hope for the best?
Do we look for private insurance options and attempt to navigate the maze of
insurance problems on our own?
Do we start looking for better jobs?
With over 50% of the DPD eligible to retire, one has to ask, what is the City of
Dallas thinking?
Dallas Officer
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