Latest news with #Regnitz
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County culls 35 employee dependents from health insurance because of ineligibility
Thirty-five dependents of Porter County employees will be eliminated from the health plan July 1 after a recent dependent verification process aimed at protecting the county from unqualified expenses and unforeseen liability. The Porter County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on the removal at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday morning, with Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, absent. Representatives from General Insurance Services (GIS) and American Fidelity explained that the process began March 10 with a communication to employees about the upcoming audit. Such audits are done every two years, according to Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center. Aram Touloukian of American Fidelity explained that seven rounds of communication were sent to employees asking for documents verifying eligibility of the dependents in question. Eight did not participate or complete the required documentation, 12 did not have sufficient documentation, and seven are spouses who qualify for health insurance on their own. Touloukian said it costs $4,700 per year for the county to add one dependent to the plan. The removal of the 35 ineligible will save the county not only $150,000 to $160,000 annually, but could also protect the county if someone technically ineligible became a high-cost claimant. The county has a separate insurance stop-loss policy that takes over claims after an individual tops out of the standard plan after $175,000 in claims. If that insurance provider asked for verification of qualification and a claimant failed that qualification the county could be responsible for those medical bills. 'So we have a number of dependents who have hit the stop-loss level?' Regnitz asked. 'Oh, absolutely,' replied Employee Benefits Advisor Candace Arvin of GIS. 'I think that's what we have to protect our plan from happening,' Regnitz said. She confirmed with Arvin and Touloukian that employees may reenroll any qualifying dependents during open enrollment in the fall, should they be among the 35 who failed to supply adequate documentation. In other business, commissioners gave Information Technology Director Lee Childress permission to set up a fund for additional appropriations that would be necessary if the County Council gives its blessing to an additional $400,000 expenditure for the purchase of 250 computers that will be necessary to run Windows 11. Windows 10 will stop receiving security patches in October and the computers purchased in 2007 to run it will not support the new software. The board also unanimously approved a zoning map amendment of the Unified Development Ordinance allowing Heartland Christian Center in Morgan Township to change the zoning of 10.7 acres from low-density single-family residential (R1) to Institutional (I). The property in question is for the development of the future Sunshine Center, planned as a recreational facility for the disabled and their caregivers. 'We're in the process of getting going,' said Heartland Pastor Phil Willingham. Finally, during approval for NWI Activists/NWI NOW to hold their next two 50501 protests on Sunday, June 29, and Thursday, July 17, the petitioners were asked by Regnitz to speak with members of their groups. 'I am getting photos of the event, and some of them are inciting violence,' she said. 'Are you talking about the 86 47 ones?' NWI NOW Director Deb McLeod asked. 'Yes,' she replied. The women explained it is a commonly used restaurant term that means to remove or eject an item, as from a menu, when it has sold out, and that they would not condone violent rhetoric at their events. The term has been under scrutiny since former FBI Director James Comey used the phrase recently. The implication is that he was referring to President Donald Trump. Merriam-Webster Dictionary says the term has taken on its police and military meaning of 'to kill.' 'Did they perceive that in the same way when they were spouting '86 46?'' McLeod asked of those sending complaints to Regnitz. 'We're not going to have another presidential election for a couple years, so to say we'll get rid of 47 now, the implication is violently,' Regnitz insisted.
Chicago Tribune
12-03-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County commissioners dole out latest round of opioid settlement funds to nonprofits
Five Porter County entities will receive a portion of this year's $125,000 in Opioid Settlement money. The county's Opioid Settlement Funds Committee began taking applications for the awards in January and made its recommendations to the Porter County Board of Commissioners at its meeting Tuesday morning. Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center, explained it was agreed five recipients would be selected so as not to create an undue burden in the process. Duneland Schools will receive $10,000 for student education and prevention, as well as developing a diversion program for students who have been affected by the crisis. Moraine House, Portage Recovery Association, and Three20 Recovery will each receive $25,000. Moraine House will use the money for house repairs and remodeling. Three20 Recovery will use the money for music, art, fitness, nutrition and faith initiatives to 'continue to try to remove barriers and meet people where they're at,' said executive director Allen Grecula. Similarly, the Portage Recovery Association will use the money to flesh out a variety of all-inclusive services at its new facility. 'To give them all of these tools to go forward is beyond amazing,' said director Jake Monhaut. The Caring Place will receive $40,000 to aid its women's recovery program. Porter County will receive approximately $336,000 per year between 2022 and 2038. The county sets aside $200,000 of that to pay the salaries and benefits of the two social workers at the Porter County Sheriff's Department. After the five annual awards, a small balance remains in reserve. The state's opioid settlement and litigation page on states that at the height of the opioid crisis in 2012, 112 opioid prescriptions were being written for every 100 Hoosiers. In other business, the commissioners gave General Insurance Services permission for its advisory panel to explore the possibility of the county adopting an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICRA) for the 1,100 to 1,200 employees and dependants that it insures. GIS Employee Benefits Advisor Candace Arvin explained to the commission that there are long lead times for implementation of any changes and now is a good time to simply understand what else is available in terms of employee health insurance. Regnitz said the switch this year to a health savings account-based plan for employees was already a big shift for the county and it should do nothing more than explore at this point. Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, told Arvin, 'You've got to figure out how to get more aggressive with our plan because it's only going to get more expensive.' Regnitz praised GIS for keeping the county's health insurance cost increases below industry averages. 'But they have another gear, Barb,' Biggs insisted.
Chicago Tribune
29-01-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County commissioners split 2-1 on appointment to health board
The Porter County Board of Commissioners appointed by a 2-to-1 vote Michelle Cherry, a Republican from Portage, to serve as the newest member of the Porter County Board of Health. Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center, initially nominated Democrat Amanda Alaniz, of Hobart, the superintendent of Portage Township Schools, for the position, but her nomination died for lack of a second. 'I think she'll be able to bring a fresh perspective on public health,' Regnitz said. In her application, Alaniz wrote, 'serving as superintendent of Portage Township Schools, the largest district in the county with the highest rate of students experiencing poverty, I have witnessed the critical connection between poverty, health, and access to resources.' Alaniz holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a literacy endorsement, a master's degree in educational leadership, and an educational doctorate. Board of Commissioners Vice President Ed Morales, R-South, then nominated Cherry, a registered nurse with 27 years of experience in medical/surgical, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, and nursing leadership. Cherry holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from Indiana University Northwest, a master's degree in nursing from Loyola University New Orleans, and a doctorate of nursing practice in nursing administration from Indiana University Indianapolis, as well as nurse executive advanced certification. She's the assistant director of risk management and patient safety for IU Health. Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, seconded Morales's nomination. 'I think that if you go through the three applications there's one that really stands out because of education and experience,' he said. Cherry's appointment was approved with the majority votes of Biggs and Morales, while Regnitz voted against her appointment. It was the first of two thwartings Tuesday morning for Regnitz. In what was dubbed 'A correction to the Commissioner Appointed to the Redevelopment Commission,' Regnitz was removed from that position, which she held throughout 2024, and was reappointed at the last Board of Commissioners meeting Jan. 7, and replaced with Biggs. Morales made a motion for Biggs to be put in the role and Biggs seconded it. The two passed the change, while Regnitz voted against it. 'Historically, the president of the Board of Commissioners has always been on it,' Biggs said. When asked if that was the case why Regnitz had been appointed to the position last year Biggs replied, 'I guess just being a nice guy. Barb was interested.' Biggs said the Redevelopment Commission is going to have a 'big year' with the possible arrival of data centers in Wheeler and other projects. 'We're going to have to meet more frequently,' he said. 'It's no reflection on the job that Barb did last year.' In other business, telecommunicator Ryan Wojda was honored with a Life Long Certificate for the 15 minutes of CPR coaching he provided by phone on Oct. 29 to the loved one of a 91-year-old man that 'prolonged this patient's life, which allowed his family crucial time with their loved one,' said Porter County E911 Director Debby Gunn. 'I can't imagine,' Biggs said. 'Good job. It's not until events like that you realize the importance of what they do.' The board also gave permission to facilities director Joe Wiszowaty to explore what it would cost to bring the main floor 1871 portion of the old Porter County Jail into shape for commercial leasing. The county has already done so with the adjoining Old Sheriff's Residence which received renovations to the first floor and is now rented out as a gift shop. 'I think in a lot of ways historical buildings function better when they're occupied,' said Kevin Pazour, director of the Porter County Museum which used to occupy both spaces, and advocated for the plan. Finally, the board unanimously approved a motion to set stricter parameters on county employees' accrual of comp time. Auditor Karen Martin brought to the board's attention the fact that comp time worth approximately $215,000 has accrued for county employees. The employee handbook dictates that comp time be used within two months, but that hasn't been happening. When asked if the county could pay out the accrued time rather than allowing time off, County Attorney Scott McClure said it was an option. 'Have we endeavored on that very often?' he asked. 'No.'
