Lawmakers are preparing to make a final decision on how much to increase health care costs for the state's 12,000 retirees, in an effort to close a $10.6 million hole in the state's retiree health program.
The joint legislative fiscal committee is set to meet Friday to vote on increasing prescription drug copays and premium contributions. The same group of lawmakers pushed off the decision at last month's meeting.
Of the state's nearly 12,000 retirees, 8,800 are over 65 and 3,000 are under 65. Those older than 65 do not pay premium contributions, but those under 65 pay 12.5 percent. One proposal would raise that contribution to 15 percent for people under 65, and increase prescription drug copays for all retirees.
