An interim legislative committee has begun its study of health insurance for state employees.
The Health Care Reform Review Committee will be looking at the state's current plan -- a hybrid between fully-funded and self -funded -- a full-funded plan, or a self-insurance proposal.
That panel was assigned the study, after the 2017 Legislature debated whether the state should go to a self-funding option. Supporters believe it could be a way to control costs.
"That's such a big part of our state budget now," said the committee's chairman, Rep. George Keiser (R-Bismarck). "The Legislature needs to look at it and determine the best approach for the state and our employees."
As originally proposed, the interim committee was to propose a self-insurance plan as a preferred option. That language was vetoed by Gov. Burgum.
"Regardless, this committee is going to do our policy making job, which is to look at the various options -- what are the advantages and disadvantages."
The committee's plan is to make some recommendations to the 2019 Legislature.