Health premiums decision expected

The decision on new health care premiums for state employees is expected this week. And the Communication Workers of America and its 1,400 members in the state department of social services don’t like what they’re hearing. Organizer Dianne Riley says workers are worried premiums next year could go up by as much as 40%. She says state employees modest cost-of-living increases are being eaten up in health care costs. For some families, she claims an increase of any size would be “very devastating.” State officials working on the increase indicate the 40% figure is unlikely.