When Minnesota legislators leave office, they take a benefit available to none of their counterparts -- not retired cops, or teachers or governors or even legislators in other states.
They can buy health insurance for themselves and their families at any age, at attractive state rates, with the right to drop in and out of coverage at will.
And every year, some do.
Records reviewed by the Star Tribune show that 30 to 50 ex-lawmakers and dependents obtain coverage through the state each year; over the past five years they incurred state-paid medical costs of roughly $870,000 while paying about $335,000 in premiums.
One unidentified ex-legislator joined a state-sponsored HealthPartners plan in 2001 just five months before enrolling in Medicare. Meanwhile, his family remained on state coverage for another 5 1/2 years -- paying $25,400 in premiums and costing the state $370,000 in medical bills.
The above from the Star Tribune, Sunday Edition.
http://www.startribune.com/premium/122780439.html
They can buy health insurance for themselves and their families at any age, at attractive state rates, with the right to drop in and out of coverage at will.
And every year, some do.
Records reviewed by the Star Tribune show that 30 to 50 ex-lawmakers and dependents obtain coverage through the state each year; over the past five years they incurred state-paid medical costs of roughly $870,000 while paying about $335,000 in premiums.
One unidentified ex-legislator joined a state-sponsored HealthPartners plan in 2001 just five months before enrolling in Medicare. Meanwhile, his family remained on state coverage for another 5 1/2 years -- paying $25,400 in premiums and costing the state $370,000 in medical bills.
The above from the Star Tribune, Sunday Edition.
http://www.startribune.com/premium/122780439.html
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