Malden council authorizes start of process to explore joining state Group Insurance Commission

The Malden City Council voted to authorize the city to enter the process for potentially switching employee health coverage to the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the council heard at its Aug. 12 meeting and adopted on a roll‑call vote with eight members in favor and one opposed.

The move directs the administration to begin the statutory process under MGL chapter 32B, sections 21–23 to develop and submit a proposal to the GIC; it does not itself enroll the city in the GIC or change employees’ coverage. Council members said the measure is the first step toward negotiating terms with collective bargaining units and retirees.

Councillor McDonald, chair of the Finance Committee, summarized the committee’s discussion and said the initiative is primarily financially driven. “The reason the city is considering this is to save money,” McDonald said during the meeting. McDonald and other councilors said preliminary estimates discussed in committee showed more than $2,000,000 in…