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County employees tell commissioners Kaiser premiums jumped from $88.46 to $303.20; bargaining cited as reason details are limited
Summary
Two county employees testified that Kaiser premiums for EA members increased sharply and were deducted from paychecks. Commissioners acknowledged the impact but said bargaining limits what they can disclose.
Two Clackamas County employees told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 30 that Kaiser Permanente monthly premiums for EA (employee association) members increased from $88.46 to $303.20 and that the higher amount was deducted from paychecks.
Natalie Lutmer, who identified herself as a county employee, said the premium increase of $214.75 was taken from her January paychecks with two days' notice and that the deduction has forced her to use leave time and come to the board to seek relief. "This 303 came out of my paychecks this January. I had 2 days notice before they took the first installment," Lutmer said during public comment. She asked the board to prioritize resolving the issue so employee paychecks are not further docked.
Mahala Bailey, a service coordinator with Clackamas County Social Services who said she has been a Kaiser patient for 17 years, urged the board to reconsider the change and restore the prior premium of $88.46. "This has been powerfully impactful to our paychecks…I would like us to look at that and reconsider having that rate go back to 88.46," Bailey said.
During commissioner comments, Commissioner West said he understands the burden on employees but that he cannot provide more public detail because the matter is part of ongoing labor negotiations. "It is not easy to sit up here, and address, and not be able to address concerns that relate to labor negotiations," West said. He asked the public to take his remarks with caution while bargaining continues and said more information may be available in the future.
The transcript records the employees' testimony and the chair's and commissioners' acknowledgements; it does not include a board direction, a vote, or details about the bargaining positions, specific union proposals, or any staff response explaining why the premium changed.
