Number
050432
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Employee Relations to investigate options for reducing the cost of health care benefit provision for City of Milwaukee employees while assuring the highest quality in health care coverage.
Analysis
This resolution authorizes and directs the City of Milwaukee Department of Employee Relations in conjunction with a representative of the Common Council President to investigate options for reducing the cost of health care benefit provision for City of Milwaukee employees. Pursuant to the resolution, the report shall explore the feasibility and implementation of the approach in health care savings of the Business Health Care Group of Southeastern Wisconsin, including membership in the Business Health Care Group of Southeastern Wisconsin, of initiating a cost savings plan for the provision of health care benefits for employees of the City of Milwaukee. The written report shall be submitted to the Common Council within 4 months of adoption of this resolution.
Body
Whereas, Recent studies have found that combined health care costs in the greater Milwaukee area are approximately 45 to 50 percent higher than in other metropolitan areas across the Midwest; and
Whereas, Since 2000, the City of Milwaukee’s cost for health care coverage for its employees has risen by an average of 9% per year; and
Whereas, The rate of inflation relative to health care costs and payments for health care coverage are unsustainable over the long term; and
Whereas, The promotion of consumer awareness as to the costs of health care as well as the formation of health care purchasing groups are attempts to leverage lower costs in the delivery of health care services; and
Whereas, The Business Health Care Group of Southeast Wisconsin has initiated a directive approach with area providers of health care as to costs, accountability and support to health care consumers, and projects double-digit savings to over 20 members for 2006 by using a consumer-driven and competitive pricing approach to health care; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Employee Relations, in conjunction with a representative of the Common Council President, is directed to explore and evaluate the feasibility and implementation of the approach in health care savings of the Business Health Care Group of Southeast Wisconsin, including membership of the City of Milwaukee in the Business Health Care Group of Southeast Wisconsin; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Employee Relations provide a written report to the Common Council within 4 months of adoption of this resolution, for consideration by the Council for the purposes of initiating a cost savings plan for the provision of health care benefits for employees of the City of Milwaukee.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB05295-1
mar
11/28/2005