| Start Date: | 9/14/2012 | Start Time: | 12:00 AM | | End Date: | 9/14/2012 | End Time: | 11:59 PM |
Rep. Karickhoff hears 911 services and rising medical costs concerns
STATEHOUSE- State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) last week chaired the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (IACIR) committee meeting.
The committee discussed several topics, but focused on Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) and managing employee health care costs.
“The commission heard issues important to all Hoosiers, but none more pressing than Public Safety Answering Points and methods of managing employee health care costs,” said Rep. Karickhoff. “These are two issues that the commission is taking a serious look at.”
PSAPs are the 911 call centers, the public contact when facing an emergency situation. The commission’s discussion of PSAPs focused primarily on their funding.
The commission heard presentations about managing employee health care costs. Also, information was presented about on-site clinics and health savings accounts.
Employers arrange on- site clinics for their employees to receive medical attention free of charge. In most cases, an employee’s immediate family will also be covered. Often, on-site clinics provide preventative and primary care as well as prescription drugs.
Health savings accounts are tax-free accounts which allow for an employee to designate a part of their check into an account solely for future medical expenses. Money in a health savings account rolls over from year to year, and the remaining balance does not have to be used before a specific time.
“The next several meetings are devoted to PSAPs, in particular, how they are to be funded,” said Rep. Karickhoff. “Through the course of the next meetings, the commission will work on developing a plan, specifically concerning PSAP funding to propose to the General Assembly in the next legislative session. I will continue to keep constituents involved on this important issue.”
The committee is scheduled to meet once again on Sept. 19 from 1-4 p.m. Committee meetings can be viewed online, to watch the committees live, visit http://www.in.gov/legislative/2441.htm.
-30- Rep. Karickhoff-Intergovernmental relations.docx | 
