Following a lengthy discussion, Northampton County Council voted last night to continue its ban on a voluntary employee health center. This health center was effectively killed in an ordinance adopted by Council on December 1. 2022. The only Council members who supported Executive Lamont McClure's veto were Tara Zrinski and Kevin Lott. Council members who spoke offered varying reasons for their opposition to a health center as currently proposed.
The two hard-liners are John Goffredo and John Brown. Goffredo said employee health benefits should reflect what the average citizen gets. Council had previously complained that an employee survey about the center was incomplete. But last night. McClure noted that 78.2% of 481 respondents supported the idea. Now, in yet another attempt to move the goal posts, Goffredo argues that a survey should be sent to taxpayers for a "luxury that we are asking other people to pay for." Actually, and Goffredo appears to have missed this point, one of the main reasons for the health center is precisely because it will save money. Goffredo went on to assert that the county should stop serving soda in the cafeteria if it really wants the workforce to be healthy.
The other hard-liner, John Brown, argued that there's "not enough meat on the bone." He said he was able to realize a lot of savings as Exec by spending just $30,000 for a consultant who advised him to cut employee benefits.
After the hard-liners, there are several Council members who really, really, really, really like the concept. But they want it competitively bid. These include Lori Vargo-Heffner (who workers for competitor St. Luke's), John Cusick and possibly Ron Heckman. It's hard to say for sure what exactly bothers Heckman because he spoke several times out of both sides of his mouth. He did note at one point that he's like to see several bids.
Then there's Kerry Myers. He previously hated the health center because he wanted more employees surveyed. Now he likes it, but claims to be worried that it could become mandatory.
Tara Zrinski and Kevin Lott, who supported the veto and the health center, were consistent with what they've been saying all along. Goffredo claimed medical services are easily accessible, and that he could "swing a cat and hit four hospitals." Zrinki agreed that we are "surrounded by surrounded by hospitals, but that does not mean we have access. We can do what is in our power to do." She then related her own experience of being without medical insurance. Lott made the salient observation that "if we don't start getting creative with our health care costs we will have to cut benefits or raise taxes."
I am sure your boss McClure will be just thrilled with your predicted skewering of county council members. It sounds like if he can buck his nature and actually try to work with council concerns, he may just get his plan. Of course, with you attacking the credibility, intelligence and integrity of members you are working against his best interests. Once again you love Zirinski and Lott as they do what they are told. Your propensity to project your hang-ups, weaknesses and prejudices on others is another black eye for McClure. You, not council, may have killed the plan. Good Job!
ReplyDelete"It'll save money."
ReplyDeleteYou type that with a straight face? Lol. I love your spunk. No government scheme EVER saves money. On what planet were you raised? Argue on other points. Everyone knows saving money is a long-told government lie.
This council really knows how to get nothing accomplished, the republicans sit on their hands and act like they care about the residents of Northampton county but never have a plan other than saying no .
ReplyDeleteThere is no way Council/commissioners should vote on this package until Council/Commissioners are able to compare our pay/wages with other government employees and the private sector. We are getting screwed by this administration as we have been getting screwed by previous administrations by not doing a wage study. The Administration is supposed to do the study every two years and it has been at least 20 years since this was done. If my wages and benefits are that much higher than the private sector then I will shut up and walk away. Bernie, you don't understand. The administration and the Commissioners/Council approved a pay plan that never lets us get to the top of our scale. We are way behind in our wages. McClure isn't concerned about us as employees. The proof is in the pudding. Council/Commissioners should stick to their guns on this issue and demand the pay survey and then consider McClures proposal. Fast food chains are paying starting wages in excess of $15.00 an hour. Many of us are taking part time jobs to help us through the month so we can pay our bills. DO THE WAGE SURVEY>
ReplyDeleteNorco should invest in a chain company. They need a lot to get their heads out
ReplyDeleteWhen are the residents of Northampton County going to realize that conservatives like John Brown and John Goffredo DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE WORKING CLASS. Why do these two continue to get your votes when time and time again they have shown that they vote against anything thread of legislation that will help the working class. Look up their voting records, they’re consistently voting against us. Stop voting hacks like this into positions of power because if it was up to them, they’d take away your health coverage altogether. Stop the madness already citizens.
ReplyDelete"... Lori Vargo-Heffner (who workers for competitor St. Luke's)."
ReplyDeleteSt. Luke's was not given the opportunity to compete (i.e. they are not a competitor). That's part of the problem here. Conflicts happen all the time and are addressed as they occur. When the process is opened up and made more competitive and transparent, abstentions may occur in the event of conflicts. This is nothing new or unusual. Haste makes waste. Why so hasty?
"I am sure your boss McClure will be just thrilled with your predicted skewering of county council members. It sounds like if he can buck his nature and actually try to work with council concerns, he may just get his plan. Of course, with you attacking the credibility, intelligence and integrity of members you are working against his best interests."
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I have been skewering county council members long before McClure was Exec, and will continue to point out their shortcomings, no matter who is in office and no matter what the issue might be. If they don't like it and are willing to vote against a good idea simply because they dislike a blogger, that's incredibly bad government.
Here are the points I made. 1. Goffredo is irrevocably opposed simply bc, as he put it himself, he hates the idea of county employees getting a benefit that might surpass that of others. He will never one. 2. Brown thinks the county can save health care money by simply cutting employee benefit, which is what he did when he was exec. 3. Heffner is a St. Luke's employee and is conflicted. 4. It is almost impossible to tell where Heckman stands because he keeps moving. He rambled on extensively last night and does talk out of both sides of his mouth. 5. Myers keeps changing his reasons for opposition. First it was bc he wanted a more extensive study. Now it's because he's afraid it might some day become mandatory.
As for Zrinski and Lott, I have noted many times that they are McClure rubber stamps. But I will give Zrinski some credit for responding to Goffredo's ridiculous claim that it is so easy to get health care. It's not that easy, which is something he'd know if he had no insurance or was underinsured. And Lott quite succinctly made clear that without a health center, the county is going to have to start making cuts or raise taxes. The health center is an attempt to prevent that evantuality.
While I'm at it, I am getting sick of council members who phone in to nearly every meeting. That includes Brown and Lott. Unless away on business, they need to be there.
"St. Luke's was not given the opportunity to compete (i.e. they are not a competitor). That's part of the problem here. Conflicts happen all the time and are addressed as they occur. When the process is opened up and made more competitive and transparent, abstentions may occur in the event of conflicts. This is nothing new or unusual. Haste makes waste. Why so hasty?"
ReplyDeleteShe has a conflict now bc St.Luke's has already expressed interest. Tell you what. I'll just file a complaint with the Ethics Commission.
No you won’t, coward
DeleteThe alternative plan suggested by many of the Council members is to put the project out for competitive bidding. It appears that they take issue with the fact that McClure selected the provider of his choosing. Given what happened in Allentown not so long ago, competitive bidding would seem to be "good government" to ensure the County is getting the best deal and saving the most money. Is there a specific reason McClure takes issue with putting the project out for bid?
ReplyDeleteThe alternative plan suggested by many of the Council members is to put the project out for competitive bidding. It appears that they take issue with the fact that McClure selected the provider of his choosing. Given what happened in Allentown not so long ago, competitive bidding would seem to be "good government" to ensure the County is getting the best deal and saving the most money. Is there a specific reason McClure takes issue with putting the project out for bid?
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with some of the comments by Goffredo. McClure seems to be taking a "trust me this is the best option" approach to the health center. If it really is the best option than show the competition. Goffredo said he would likely vote for this if there were competitive offers shown.
ReplyDeleteBrown lost the employees as exec when he destroyed our Healthcare plan and gave next to nothing as raises. If council shoots down the health center than they need to work with McClure and find a solution. The answer is not making employee Healthcare worse or charging us more. We cannot afford to go back to the coinsurance nor can we afford paying more for benefits.
Private sector employees make more money and a lot of plans are now comparable to the county. It's no longer a major perk to have the county insurance.
" Goffredo said he would likely vote for this if there were competitive offers shown."
ReplyDeleteThis is untrue. He is a hard-line no. Watch the meeting. "Our government benefits should reflect what the market is offering the average person because the average person - the taxpayer - is the one who has to pay for this." So what Goffredo really wants to see is a reduction in health benefits offered to the county employee, and not a health center that provides health access at a savings to the taxpayer. He argues that the real reason our health access is so limited is that we drink soda. He will never support a health center, regardless whether it is competitively bid.
"The answer is not making employee Healthcare worse or charging us more. We cannot afford to go back to the coinsurance nor can we afford paying more for benefits."
ReplyDeleteThat is the option that seven members of County Council is forcing.
"I'll just file a complaint with the Ethics Commission."
ReplyDeleteI imagine you will. And you should to get this whole thing straightened out. Spoiler alert: you'll be politely asked to wait until an actual conflict exists. Then you'll be laughed at and ridiculed, privately, by real lawyers.
I tend to have a theme of voting for county council memebrs then next election that comes I vote against them all, I voted for gofferdo as I thought the challenger was worse I will not be voting for him again. With that being said Myers did a very good job last night I commend him. If this saves the tax payer money I think it is a good move, Would rather not see a company from nj come in tho, makes sense to support one of the local two health care networks if they can make it work.
ReplyDelete"Spoiler alert: you'll be politely asked to wait until an actual conflict exists. Then you'll be laughed at and ridiculed, privately, by real lawyers."
ReplyDeleteThe actual conflict exists now. She apparently refuses to seek an advisory opinion so I'll do it for her.
In this day and age, an in-person attendance requirement is silly.
ReplyDeleteMake a rule. If not present, you can’t vote or participate in any debate.
DeleteJohn Brown said he was able to realize a lot of savings as Exec by spending just $30,000 for a consultant who advised him to cut employee benefits.
ReplyDeleteWhich resulted in one of the largest retirement of experienced county employees ever in county history. The a..hole always has and continues to have no clue.
4:40 is right. You attacked all who voted to override except Cusick. Zirinski made no sense as employees have excellent coverage. Lott just repeated his script. McClure is thankful you are doing his dirty work with an ethics referral.
ReplyDeleteYou don't give a shit about good government; you just love McClure. A hasty multi-million-dollar long term plan with nothing but promises and testimonials is worthless. Here's an idea, why not bitch about McClure and his union boss buddies refusing to endorse a pay study??? We have health care and didn't ask for more. We have shitty pays and many of our offices are understaffed. Not that you or McClure care,
You mad bro? He's been sliced and diced by his own party. That's how unlikable he is, and has always been. His chickens are coming home ..... to roost. It's Kerry's commissioners now. Not going to get any easier.
ReplyDelete"4:40 is right. You attacked all who voted to override except Cusick. "
ReplyDeleteInaccurate. I reported that Cusick wanted a competitive bid. The only health center opponent I failed to criticize was Tom Giovanni. He had the good sense to keep his moth shut rather than pretend.
In sum, Goffrefo and Brown are hard-liners who want to stick it to county workers. Vargo-Heffner is conflicted and wants St. Luke's. Heckman droned on forever, as usual, and made sure he said something for everyone. Myers changed his reason for being opposed from "we need a better "survey" to "this might some day become mandatory.
"You mad bro? He's been sliced and diced by his own party."
No. I expect bad government from NorCo Council. I've seen it fpr decades and it makes no difference who's in charge. Council stopped being good some time in the 90s.
There's some wild story about Allentown City Hall getting raided today by FBI.
ReplyDeleteHear anything?
BernieOHare to 8:13, will check
ReplyDeleteI'm a taxpayer and I don't work in health care. I think I want either St Luke's or LVHN. I'd like to see their offers. But I'm just a taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteDidn’t your taxes just go down? Just saying as a taxpayer, oh yea county workers pay taxes too
DeleteAs a taxpayer I am glad county council is there to put a check on wild spending plans.
ReplyDeleteEven if it saves taxpayers money ??
DeleteDon't trust McClure and his gang! There must be something in this for him to not want to get bids for his center.Don't also trust him if him or Charlie Tuna wins the next County election to then say it's now manitory to use the health center.This Admistration os crooked as crooked can be!
ReplyDeleteBig promisers and no proof of savings. Let employees keep their own doctors and not a company doctor. Propaganda from the McClure gang and O'Hare. Maybe an election play tax cut was not a good idea A taxpayer.
ReplyDeleteCan we get past the savings fantasy? I remember a guy with a Nobel Peace Prize and a lot more credibility than Lamont McClure telling me that my family would save $2,500 on his healthcare plan. I started immediately paying $1,500 more, and the price keeps rising. And I lost my plan. And I had to switch several doctors. In fairness, WaPo warned us with lots of Pinnochios. But lying politicians are certainly a bipartisan thing. Which is why none of them should believed, especially when they're telling you some scheme of theirs is going to save money. That's happened exactly never in world history. This plan won't save anyone a dime. Common sense guided by experience.
ReplyDeleteWell, with the excellent insurance offered by Northampton County how in the hell do employees have difficulty accessing care? It can't be lack of vacation, sick, personal time off. Maybe the County can offer classes to employees in how to access health care. Maybe bring in some privately employed residents to give pointers. This is not going to help at all. Just a duplication of services already available. Where are the employees to staff this coming from?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Gracedale has some extras? I see this place as just a pill mill to keep employees happy. There goes another increase in unnecessary antibiotics.