Carmel council votes to give itself health insurance

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Carmel's city council rejected criticism of a health insurance plan Monday night, voting to extend benefits to themselves.

The problem, in the eyes of the critics, is that council members are considered part-time employees. Most of the council disagreed, saying, while the job is considered part-time, in reality it's full-time work.

And, several councilors argued, it's only fair to allow council members to participate in an insurance plan that's available to other city employees in Carmel. The council voted in favor of the proposal, five to two.

If every member of Carmel's council took advantage of the coverage, it would cost the city about $140,000 dollars. Mayor Jim Brainard said that's a "relatively small" amount in a budget of over $100 million.

The option takes effect in January, when a new council term begins.

Source: http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/hamilton_county/carmel-council-votes-to-give-itself-health-insurance

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