Health Care Costs Tax Town

Westwood is better off than many of the communities profiled in a Boston Globe series this week (Runaway health costs are rocking municipal budgets). Westwood certainly shares the pain of all communities as health care premiums have quadrupled in the past decade and currently represent about 7.6% of the proposed budget for FY11. Currently, the town is budgeting over $5 million to provide health insurance to 714 employees and retirees.

Some key differences between many of the towns profiled in the Globe story:

• Although Westwood does not purchase through the state's Group Insurance Commission, we do purchase health insurance through the West Suburban Health Group which results in lower group rates than towns "going it alone."
• Westwood covers only 60% of the HMO premium--unlike some towns that cover 90% or more of employee's health benefits. This 40% share also discourages some who have better alternatives through a working spouse or other eligibility.

Detailed information about the proposed budget may be downloaded from the town web site. Summary Detail