Presenter
Presented by Mr. Hertzberg
Title
Resolution requesting that the Act 47 Coordinator assist the City taxpayer in reducing healthcare costs by merging the City's healthcare plan with the Pennsylvania Employee Benefits Trust Fund (PEBTF), thus reducing taxpayer costs and creating a revenue neutral effect when compared with the initial Plan.
Body
Whereas, the Plan allows for "Alternative contribution structure (based on percentage of salary rather than benefit cost) be substituted with approval of the Coordinator so long as equivalent savings are achieved"; and,
Whereas, the employee contribution produces $5.1 Million in savings in 2005 and would cost employees as much as $1,375; and,
Whereas, Allegheny County, Cranberry Township, Monroeville, Bethel Park, Ross, Shaler, Upper St. Clair and many other government sector employees pay no employee contribution towards health care; and,
Whereas, there approximately 3,000 active employees and 1,000 retirees in the City's healthcare plan; and,
Whereas, the Commonwealth, which has approximately 85,000 employees in the PEBTF, has a significantly lower per employee cost and could produce a savings to the City equal or greater than the $5.1 described in the Act 47 plan; and,
Whereas, further savings could be achieved by granting City employees the same terms that the State AFSCME has negotiated creating an additional savings in 2005 and beyond; and,
Whereas, this could save taxpayers and the average employee thousands of dollars, supply employees with better benefits and keep millions of dollars in the City's economy; and,
Whereas, the PEBTF plan also includes Dental and Vision and a higher level of care projected by the Coordinator's Plan.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. That the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby requests that the Act 47 Coordinator, Governor Rendell and other state officials assist the City in this cooperat...
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