JACKSON (AP) — The state and school employees’ health plan that is managed by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration has a $149 million surplus, officials say.
Sam Atkinson, director of performance audits at the state auditor’s office, called the health plan “very viable,” particularly because this is its second straight surplus year. The surplus comes from premium increases and benefits changes, according to an audit. Premiums exceeded claims by $108.8 million during the 2007 calendar year.
“We’ve seen a mild rate increase, but we’ve also seen several benefits and services that we didn’t have previously,” Atkinson said. “The operating surplus also ensures that should some catastrophic event occur, should some tremendous increase in insurance occur, then we in the state of Mississippi are prepared, at least initially.”
The surplus is held as a reserve and doesn’t go to any insurance company or outside entity.
Brenda Scott, president of the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees, said that although it appears the plan is thriving and could possibly afford to reduce premiums for active employees, she doesn’t think that would be prudent in coming years because of the way prices have been increasing.
Instead, Scott recommended that the state survey plan members to see how many of them are putting off care or not going to a doctor because of cost concerns.
Local News
State health insurance plan has surplus
- Local News
-
-
Several injured in separate 84 East wrecks
The jaws of life were used at about 4:55 p.m. Saturday to free victims of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 84 East, the second serious accident in that area in two days.
-
Animal cruelty case under investigation
Officials are continuing to investigate a case where several animals were seized last week from a home in the Beat Four Community of Wayne County.
-
Team work leads to drug arrests
The Laurel Police Department has arrested two Laurel men in connection with drugs this week.
-
Piazza becomes city’s Public Defender
In a special ceremony last week at Laurel City Hall, local attorney John Piazza was sworn in as the City of Laurel Public Defender.
-
Jasper County officials work to make upgrades at fire station, voting precinct
Jasper County officials are continuing to work to make improvements at one of the county’s fire stations and voting precincts.
-
JCJC gets $7K grant for poultry studies
The president of Jones County Junior College made an exciting announcement at the end of the institution’s 7th Annual Economic and Technology Symposium Thursday.
-
Council to discuss pay increase
The Laurel City Council next week will once again consider granting a change concerning the city’s building inspector.
-
Police investigate several burglaries on Euclid Avenue
The Laurel Police Department has taken two people into custody as the police department continues to investigate several burglaries which have occurred in the Euclid Avenue area.
-
Rotarians see huge success
The Laurel Rotary Club saw a great turnout as they sold hundreds of spaghetti plates Saturday during its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser.
-
Agriculture is big business in Miss.
Business and industry leaders, as well as Jones County Junior College students, gathered at Ronald E. Whitehead Advanced Technology Center Thursday for the college’s 7th Annual Economic and Technology Symposium.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
