Mississippi House Bill HB1180

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

State and School Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan; revise to require state to provide 50% of the cost of the plan for eligible dependents.

Impact

The bill would solidify existing welfare measures for state employees by providing a structured outline of health insurance benefits. This update indicates a commitment from the state to ensure that employees are not solely responsible for the full cost of health insurance for their dependents. This could lead to increased job satisfaction among state employees and potentially attract new talent as benefits improve. Moreover, it might stabilize the overall employee turnover rate within state positions, as attractive benefits are known to retain existing employees.

Summary

House Bill 1180 aims to amend Section 25-15-15 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, focusing on the State and School Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan. The primary objective of this bill is to require the state to cover fifty percent (50%) of the health insurance costs for the eligible dependents of full-time employees. This proposed change is significant as it expands financial support for dependents, potentially enhancing access to necessary healthcare for families of state employees and educators.

Contention

The proposal may face scrutiny regarding its financial implications on the state budget. Opponents might argue that subsidizing fifty percent of health coverage for eligible dependents could stretch state resources, particularly if the costs increase unexpectedly. Furthermore, various stakeholders may express concern regarding the balance of funding between employee premiums and the overall budget for public services. Legislative discussions could reveal differing opinions on how to prioritize these healthcare benefits against other essential state services.