County Commissioner Vaughn Begick is proposing an end to health care benefits for Bay County commissioners.

---

County Tightens Belt, Commissioners to Eye Health Benefit Curbs on Tuesday

Executive Furnishes Information on Medicare Drug Benefits to Seniors

November 21, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

Future projections of state revenue sharing and/or economic improvement in Bay County being dim, County Commissioner Vaughn Begick, (R, 3rd District)(Pictured at Right) is proposing an end to health care benefits for commissioners.


He suggests the county "lead by example," noting that Bay County Executive Thomas L. Hickner is requesting a decrease of two percent in the budgets of all county departments.

The proposal faces an uncertain prospect in the December 2 meeting with an 8-1 Democratic majority, but may find greater support in January when new Republicans Joe Davis and Christopher Rupp, plus Democrat Brandon Krause, take their seats.

Health benefits being offered to part-time commissioners became an issue in several commission districts in the November election.

Begick's proposed resolution calls for an end to health care benefits (or stipends in lieu of same) beginning Jan. 1.

"As a result of a decrease in property tax revenue, the uncertainty of revenue sharing money from the state and unfunded mandates for services being required of the county by the state, it is becoming increasingly difficult to balance Bay County's budget," the resolution states.

The executive is submitting balanced budgets calling for the following expenditures:

General operating fund: $33,411,699; special revenue funds, $25,114,051; debt service funds, $2,937,707; capital project funds, $653,431; enterprise funds, $24,583,871; internal service funds, $6,732,198; and trust funds, $22,607,178.

In other business, the executive has issued a county newsletter advising seniors about signing up for Medicare prescription drug benefits.

Open enrollment for the Prescription Drug Plan Coverage (Medicare Part D) begins November 15 and ends December 31.

This program is for those enrolled in Medicare who have no other creditable prescription drug coverage. If you are just turning 65, this would be your first opportunity to sign up for one of the drug plans.

If you are already enrolled, this is your opportunity to review the various plans in relation to the drugs you take regularly. You may switch plans only during the open enrollment period of November 15 to December 31.

To make an appointment with a trained MMAP counselor, call Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) at 1-800-803-7174. Please bring the following:

1. List of current prescription drugs/dosages

2. Social Security number

3. Medicare card

4. Letter from current prescription carrier (only if you are being dropped by your current carrier)

5. Information on monthly resources

If you have any questions, please visit the Medicare website. ###