EKB News

According to a study recently released by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, since 2000, state government spending on health insurance for workers, retirees and teachers has grown five times faster than the rate of overall state spending, soaring by 174% in the past decade. Commerce officials say it's time for employees to pay more of the tab which is now costing more than $1.2 billion a year, more than 12% of the state's General Fund spending. The average Kentucky state worker pays for 3% of their health insurance premium while the average private employee pays 20%. The chamber says the total cost to provide health coverage for 258,169 teachers, state employees and state retirees has left them no longer able to afford to provide generous health benefits greater than what most private workers receive.