ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, July 9, 1996 TAG: 9607090075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BEDFORD
SOURCE: JENNIFER MILLER STAFF WRITER
MEMO: Shorter version rain in Metro edition.
Bedford County's supervisors want more information before agreeing to help county retirees pay for insurance.
Since the county changed insurance plans in May, the nine retirees covered under the county's insurance plan say they can't afford it.
"Most of us have put in 25 to 30 years' service to the county, and we looked forward to retiring with an insurance plan that we could afford," said Doug Mayhew, 44, a former sheriff's deputy. "It has become almost impossible for a retiree to afford an insurance plan with the county."
However, board members expressed concern that if the county agrees to pay part of the retirees' insurance premiums, other former county employees might want to rejoin the plan.
The board plans to research the alternatives before giving the retirees a decision at its Aug. 5 meeting.
Mayhew said he doubted many people would want back into the county plan.
"It's not that great. Anyone who is almost 65 years old or on disability can find a better supplement or turn to Medicaid," Mayhew said.
The former deputy has had four back surgeries since retiring in 1995 and must pay the full $250 premium for his single-employee plan.
The county pays $187 of the cost for active employees, and the individuals pay $63.
Johnny Martin, who retired in December from the Bedford County Sheriff's Office after 25 years of service, pays $540 each month for a county insurance plan that covers himself and his wife. With county assistance, Martin would be responsible for paying $311 per month.- a $229 difference. Martin has taken a part-time job at the sheriff's office to make ends meet.
"When you retire, you retire to have fun, not to go back to work," said Martin, who intends to keep paying for the county insurance plan even if the county does not help out.
"I'll have to stay on it. When you turn 61 years old, you just can't get on any insurance. It becomes too expensive."
The retirees asked the board to consider using money from the contingency fund - which amounts to $325,752 - to pay the $1,776 it would cost each month to provide the same assistance the county gives active employees.
"We need to look further than the active employees with the county. We need to look at the employees that have been dedicated to the county for years," Mayhew pleaded before the Board. "It is relatively a small amount for a long-term investment... because sooner or later every county employee will be faced with this issue."
Bedford County's health insurance dilemma began in May when Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield said it planned to raise the county's rates by more than 60 percent.
Bedford County switched insurance to a new plan organized by the Virginia Association of Counties, but rates still climbed 30 percent to 40 percent.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB