LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ON THE STATE HEATH PLAN
FROM GENE 

The Conferees reached agreement Tuesday.  The Conferees Report passed both House and Senate on Wednesday.  The Governor signed the bill into law on Thursday. 

Almost everyone agrees this is a temporary fix.  The law calls for a study committee to develop a long term fix.  The passed proposal: 

* Appropriates funds to pay the bills through June 30 of this year. 

* It continues the plan for the next two years by additional state appropriations, reducing some benefits, and increasing some co-pays and premiums. 

* Major changes by the Conferees were:

1. The smoking and weight control pans were put back in the plan.
2. Settled on an  8.9 % increase in premiums. 

On another maatter of interest the House Speaker, Joe Hackney, has set up some public hearings for the House Budget.  On Tuesday, April 28th there will be 10 Community College Campuses where people can go to express their thoughts and concerns about the budget.  These will be transmitted to the Appropriation Committee members who will be in the Museum of History Auditorium .  The hours are 6:00 to 9:00 pm.