GREENFIELD — This week, the City Council made an important decision regarding health insurance for city employees. They voted to adopt Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 32B, Section 19. This law allows the city to change insurance providers only after negotiating with a public employee committee. Councilor John Bottomley was the only member to vote against it.
In the same meeting, the council rejected Chapters 32B, Sections 21-23. These sections also involve negotiations but state that if an agreement isn’t reached in a month, a review committee would decide. Councilors could only choose one option, and Section 19 won out.
Mayor Ginny Desorgher emphasized the city’s need to switch from Health New England to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) due to rising costs. For fiscal year 2027, insurance costs are projected to jump by 19.3%, roughly $2 million. She expressed confidence that unions would work together with the city to reach an agreement, but it’s essential to notify the GIC by July 1 for a change to take effect in January 2027.
“Insurance costs are burdening towns and cities everywhere. Transitioning to the GIC is a step toward financial stability for Greenfield,” Desorgher remarked. “This change could save significant funds and protect jobs, essential for keeping our departments fully staffed.”
However, she also warned that passing Sections 21-23 might have been a safer choice. Many experts, including legal and municipal advisors, suggest that Section 19 has a low success rate historically. “I’m hopeful we can be an exception,” she stated.
Jesse Cole, who works at the Greenfield Public Library and is part of the clerical union, pointed out that while unions support finding a more affordable insurance option, they want to retain bargaining rights regarding health care coverage. He stated, “Section 19 offers a way for the city to find better rates while still giving us a voice.”
On the contrary, Bottomley highlighted the benefits of Sections 21-23, which he believes allow for more efficient decision-making and help contain rising costs. He cautioned that if negotiations fail, costs could continue to rise dramatically, potentially doubling the health care budget from $7 million to over $14 million by 2028. This isn’t sustainable, he stressed.
Some council members shared concerns over insurance costs but stood firm on maintaining union participation in negotiations. Precinct 2 Councilor Rachel Gordon emphasized that the real change would require state-level reforms, including better funding for healthcare and education. “It shouldn’t be like this. We need a single-payer healthcare system and improved state support,” she said.
Tara Cloutier, president of the Greenfield Education Association, expressed gratitude for the council’s decision to uphold bargaining rights through Section 19. “We appreciate being able to negotiate on our health insurance,” she stated.
Ultimately, Precinct 9 Councilor Max Webbe framed it as an exercise in trust. “This is about believing we can work collaboratively for a better future,” he said. “Section 19 is about trusting that we can overcome these challenges together.”
Source link
Greenfield City Council,Greenfield MA,health care,Health Insurance,Latest News
