By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-964492.mp3
Elizabethtown, NY – Last September officials in Essex County were notified that their Blue Shield plan was increasing rates 46-percent. County officials opted to go with a new plan from Excellus that would amount to a 15 percent increase over their previous rate. The new plan also lacked some of the options that Blue Shield had offered. Essex County Manager Dan Palmer says the 46 percent increase was too cost prohibitive for both the county and its employees.......
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CSEA has filed suit against Essex County because it contends contract language is clear regarding retirees' health insurance and the county has violated those terms. CSEA Spokesman Stephen Madarasz......
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Essex County Manager Dan Palmer says he was surprised that there's been litigation filed because the county acted fairly and in good faith.....
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But the union says county officials are not interpreting the contract and its ramifications properly. Again the CSEA's Stephen Madarasz......
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The union filed suit in the State Supreme Court in Essex County.