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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County expressing the Sense of Council urging the Chief Executive to investigate the possibility of a health insurance premium discount provided that Allegheny County in conjunction with some or all of the 130 municipalities within the County jointly purchase health care for their employees, and further requesting the Chief Executive investigate the feasibility of participation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's health care plan in an effort to reduce health care costs.
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WHEREAS, in Pennsylvania, as in other states across America, health care costs are skyrocketing, there are significant increases in demand for services, and the federal government is failing to provide adequate support to states; and
WHEREAS, health insurance premiums are rising at nearly five times the inflation rate; and
WHEREAS, the purchasing power of Allegheny County and its municipalities combined could warrant a discount in health insurance premiums and would result in cost savings; and
WHEREAS, health care benefits for state employees' are provided by the Pennsylvania Employee Benefit Trust Fund (PEBTF) and it would be prudent for the County to consider the possibility of participating in this plan;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED that this Council urges the Chief Executive to investigate the possibility of a partnership agreement between Allegheny County and some or all of the 130 municipalities within the County to jointly purchase health care in order to obtain a discounted rate.
FURTHERMORE, IT IS MOVED that this Council encourages the Chief Executive to examine the merits of Allegheny County participating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's health care plan in order to realize cost savings in health care premiums.