Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins started his term of office in late 2018/early 2019 with a city insurance purchase that led to considerable controversy for his new administration.
Now less than 10 weeks from the Nov. 8 primary, another insurance monster has appeared. And this one may cost many votes to candidates on the November ballot, including the mayor.
The volcanic eruption on the possible decision of the city's Health Care Trust Fund Board (HCTFB) over the 2023 insurance plan has set off tsunami-like waves since the Wednesday, Aug. 17, meeting of the board.
In simple terms, a recommendation has been tentatively made to have a three tier health insurance plan. Tier one would be Ochsner. Tier two is Willis-Knighton. Tier three is an open plan.
The premiums for tier one are projected to be lower than tiers two and three. And the deductible co-pays are higher for tiers two and three.
From a bottom-line economic perspective, many city employees, and especially retirees, may be forced to opt for tier one. This would mean leaving their healthcare providers in the WK system that may have treated them for years, as in many years.
Currently, WK has 60% of the city employees and city retirees in their city-sponsored health plan.
The HCTFB meeting was a disaster. To begin with, over 30 city employees and retirees were forced to stand for the 90 minute circus.
Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Henry Whitehorn and interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kasey Brown argued with one board member. They were very caustic in many of their comments to the board and others at the meeting.
And the controversy only grew in scope at the city council's work session Monday, Aug. 22, and regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
WK President/Chief Executive Officer Jerry "JAF" Fielder addressed the council and reminded them of the impact of the WK System in this area with over 7,000 employees and over 700 providers.
JAF stated that WK did not receive a fair shake in the selection process.
Comments from CEO Whitehorn and CFO Brown at those meetings, both in response to JAF's presentation and questions from council members, were not constructive nor convincing.
The rhetorical fray was further fueled by Perkins when he called out council member Grayson Boucher for asking for information.
Perkins, Whitehorn, Brown and council member Jerry Bowman Jr. are voting members of the HCTFB. A final decision is expected at the board's special meeting on Sept. 7.
The Shreveport City Council must confirm any recommendations of the HCTFB. This vote is expected in late September.
The final decision on the insurance plan will no doubt have substantial impact on the re-election campaign of Perkins.
Council member Levette Fuller is a mayoral candidate.
And any vote to approve a three tier plan will create fallout in two November council races.
Interim council member Alan Jackson has two opponents. His district E is home to many city employees and city retirees.
Bowman's wife, Ursula, is a candidate in District G to replace her husband, who is termed out. Like District E, her district also has many citizens that will be affected by the city insurance plan.
The votes by returning council members Boucher, James Green and Tabatha Taylor will no doubt affect their influence and credibility in their second terms on the council.
The clout of the city employees and retirees is substantial as well as that of WK.
The stakes are high and litigation can be expected if a three tier plan is adopted, and maybe if the same plan is continued until 2023.
If this tune sounds familiar, it is. Last year the HCTFB dillied dallied to the extent that the 2021 health plan was extended to this year.