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County employees and officials warn rate increases will worsen hiring and retention
Summary
County employees and department leaders told supervisors the benefit changes and potential out‑of‑pocket costs could discourage applicants and prompt staff to leave; speakers cited Medi‑Cal interactions and low dependent enrollment as complicating factors.
Multiple county employees and officials told the board that higher employee out‑of‑pocket costs could damage recruitment and retention. Jonette Moffett, an IHSS supervisor who said she has worked for the county 15 years, described how many county families qualify for Medi‑Cal as a primary payer, which can complicate the county plan’s secondary billing and still increase the county’s claim experience. "Because ... we only, in recent years, got increases to our wages ... anybody that has a family ... is likely receiving Medi Cal benefits," she said, explaining why few families remain enrolled in the county plan.
Patrick Sullivan, the county treasurer and tax collector, told supervisors the county’s enrollment mix is unusual and that any percentage increase hits Lake County harder because its base rates and per‑employee costs are already higher than peers. The vice chair and other board members raised concerns that if families leave coverage because it becomes unaffordable, the county’s risk profile and future premiums would worsen.
Speakers urged staff to analyze whether the increase is already reflected in the county budget and to bring back options that could mitigate impacts on employees who would face higher premiums or share of salary toward benefits.
