On May 1, the Benefits Advisory Committee met to consider the remaining issues relating to the proposed alterations in the Health Insurance Plans.

By a substantial majority, the Committee favored adoption of a multi-tiered system of allocating premiums, among individuals and families of various kinds in place of the present two-tiered system. The Committee reviewed a 4 tier system (with different premiums levels for employee only coverage, for coverage of employee plus a spouse/partner, for coverage of employee plus dependent children, and for employee plus spouse/partner and dependent children. The Committee noted that this better reflects the different kind of family structures in the modern University community. It also gives the spouses/partners of University employees who have insurance available through their own employers to take advantage of that opportunity rather than placing the cost of their care on the University. We encourage the administration to consider a 4 tier or 5 tier system and to provide further information to us.

The Committee also unanimously rejected a suggestion that the level of University support for coverage be tied directly to the percentage time employed here. We suggest retention of the present system in which the University provides its contribution to all employees who work 75% time or more.

Respectfully submitted

BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Fred L. Morrison, Chair
May 2, 2003