State lawmakers will be asking questions about the new health plans for state employees.
After 37 years with Blue Cross-Blue Shield, the Public Employees’ Retirement System board went with Sanford’s health insurance plan. The PERS board says Sanford's bid was substantially lower than the Blues' bid.
"We've asked a lot of questions," said House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo). "We've seen a copy of the base contract. But it's a long document, and it's in a lot of words that I don't understand."
Carlson says he and the other floor leaders have sponsored a bill – so they can get a better handle on what’s in the Sanford proposal. And he says the key is to make sure the coverage state workers have always had is protected.
"For the past seven years, we've had the same deductibles, co-pays and all those things," said Carlson. "Supposedly they're the same. We're just making sure they are."
Carlson says if all the answers are 'yes,' the bill is moot.
"But if not, there will have to be some adjustments made," said Carlson.
A hearing could be held as early as next week.
