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Bratenahl committee advances 2026 employee health plan despite nearly 20% premium increase
Summary
The Village of Bratenahl Committee of the Whole advanced Resolution 1452 on first reading after Fiscal Officer Cooks reported a 19.5% increase in 2026 health-insurance premiums; Council voted unanimously to move the renewal forward and clarified vision coverage is provided through VSP under the Medical Mutual plan.
Fiscal Officer Cooks told the Village Council Committee of the Whole on March 23 that the Village’s employer-sponsored group saw a 19.5% increase in insurance premiums for the 2026 plan year. "There is overall a 19-and-a-half percent increase in premiums," she said, adding dental premiums rose about 5 percent.
Mayor Keith Benjamin asked whether vision coverage remained part of the medical plan; Cooks replied, "It is through VSP, but it's covered under Medical Mutual," confirming vision is not a separate vendor outside the renewal.
Cooks described the Bratenahl employee group as "mid to low" in claims compared with peer groups and said an aging membership and claims severity were factors the insurer considered when setting renewal rates.
After brief questions from council members about health-savings-account options and plan type, President Pro Tem David Dews moved and Councilman Jim Puffenberger seconded a motion to advance Resolution 1452 to full Council for consideration. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; Councilmembers Joyce Burke-Jones, David Dews, Gina Huffman, David Kozinski and Jim Puffenberger all voted Aye.
The Committee placed the resolution on first reading and recommended the Council consider the insurance renewal at its next meeting. No amendment to plan design or benefit levels was adopted during the Committee meeting; Council members asked staff to provide any additional information requested before the full-Council vote.
The next procedural step is for the full Village Council to consider the resolution on the date published in the Council agenda packet.
