report

State HR department releases employee retirement report

Staff WriterBusiness, Headlines, RSS-Business

A state Human Resources report says that Delaware hasn’t seen a spike in employee retirements in the last several years. It’s important information in guiding plans to recruit and retain employees, said Claire DeMatteis, secretary of the Department of Human Resources. It’s also important information to members of the Statewide Employees Benefits Committee and subcommittee, who are trying to hammer …

Elsa Olofsson, marrijuana in workplace

Marijuana banned from Delaware workplaces after legalization

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

With the legalization of recreational marijuana, workplaces in Delaware will now have to contend with the increased usage that will bring. In response to the bills, the state of Delaware implemented a new policy  May 3 for all executive branches to ban smoking or being under the influence of marijuana, similar to the use of alcohol. Claire DeMatteis, secretary of …

The special Medicfill plan for Delaware’s retirees has been extended another six months. (National Cancer Institute photo from Unsplash)

State retirees’ health plan extended to June, 2024

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Medicfill for Delaware’s retirees will remain in place until June 30, 2024, with rates to be determined in May, a key committee decided unanimously on Monday. The special plan covers retired state employees. The state’s controversial idea to move them into Medicare Advantage was stopped by suit last fall from a group called Retirees Investing in Social Equity Delaware. The …

Retiree benefits

State benefits committee may extend retiree health plan again

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A state committee will vote April 24 on whether to once again extend retirees current health insurance for another six months. The State Employee Benefits Committee will vote on a recommendation from its retiree subcommittee about whether to extend the current plan, as it did in October amid an uproar over a planned change. The need for the plan to …

Delaware State Benefits Committee health insurance premium rate hikes

State health insurance premiums may rise 7% for next 3 years

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

The state of Delaware’s health insurance program could soon be split almost evenly between workers and retirees because of the shortage of workers and rising numbers of retirees. That’s important because in general younger workers use less health care. Employers everywhere rely on that to offset the higher costs of older workers who generally use more health care services. How …

State Benefits Committee

Benefits Committee extends retiree health plans for 1 year

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Acting under emergency powers, the State Employment Benefit Committee voted Monday to continue state retiree health plans as they are through 2023. Rates will remain the same as they were for this year. That move did not stop retirees and their ringleaders from laying into the committee in a public comment session after the vote. Thomas Pledgie told the committee …

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Legislature to reconvene to tackle Medicare Advantage

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In response to protests by state government retirees who say they were left in the dark over a significant change to their health insurance, the General Assembly unveiled a bill Monday aimed at creating additional oversight. The House of Representatives and Senate will hold a special session in Dover on Oct. 26 to debate and vote on the bill. Pensioners …

Rise 1

State retirees protest Carney admin’s Medicare Advantage plan

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware state government retirees gathered in Wilmington Tuesday with a message for Gov. John Carney and his political appointees: “Keep your hands off our Medicare.” The crowd of mostly senior citizens planned to protest outside the Carvel State Office Building, where the governor, attorney general and New Castle County lawmakers have offices. Rain forced them indoors to the city and …

Medicare

Change to state retirees’ health insurance prompts angst

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A change to the health insurance held by retirees of Delaware’s state government is causing an uproar. The state’s requirement that retirees and pensioners switch from original Medicare to a specially-tailored Medicare Advantage plan has led to charges that retirees will lose their doctors or be denied services that are currently covered. That’s not true, said Delaware Secretary of Human …

Delaware DHR state jobs fair

Delaware launches drive to fill 400 state jobs

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

  Delaware has launched a $225,000 campaign to advertise the many state jobs available, and to make sure job seekers know the state has raised salaries and offers alternative schedules. The campaign is a unique move for the state, pointed out Claire DeMatteis, secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. It’s aimed at catching the attention of Delaware workers …