State Rep. Winslow: Proposed Municipal Health Plan Reform Could Save Towns Money

State Rep. Daniel Winslow said a measure that would change the way municipal health care plans are handled would save Massachusetts towns a substantial amount of money.

Winslow said the proposal is part of state budget discussions currently taking place in the legislature.

"The Massachusetts Municipal Association and the speaker of the house proposed to have town employees' health plans handled by the Group Insurance Commission," he said. "That's the same organization that handles the state employees."

He said the house speaker estimated the change could save Massachusetts towns $100 million a year. The savings, Winslow said, would be realized by increasing the number of employees handled by the group.

"Basically, it gives them better bargaining power," he said. "It could bring some costs of health care on parity with what you see in the private sector."

The proposed change would not affect current contracts.

"That's just a matter of fairness," Winslow said. "If a union negotiates wage concessions to get a $5 copay, it's only fair for them to keep that."

Winslow said he expects the legislation to pass in the state House of Representatives, despite union opposition.

"The speaker drew a line in the sand and proposed this as one of his top priorities," he said. "The majority of Democrats and all of the Republicans are behind it."

"I expect it will get through the house, but what happens in the Senate remains to be seen," he added.

According to Winslow, the move would save costs, allowing towns to retain employees like teachers, firefighters and police.