North Dakota Governor Vetoes Bill to Change State Employee Health Insurance

(North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Michael Achterling. North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong vetoed a bill  that opponents worried would lead to state employees paying health insurance premiums.

Senate Bill 2160 would have moved the state’s insurance to a plan that offers benefits compliant with the federal Affordable Care Act.

Supporters of the bill said it would have given more flexibility to the state over health insurance plan options and would have provided better coverage of preventative care. Opponents said it could lead to employees paying health insurance premiums, which they don’t currently.

In Armstrong’s veto message to the Senate, he said the state’s health plans are one of the most valued benefits for state employees. He added it was one of the state’s “strongest and most useful recruitment and retention tools.”