The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Department of Community Health's board voted Monday to revert back to offering small co-payments for health services and drugs to the 650,000 state workers, retirees and dependents covered by the plan.
The agency changed the plan last year to end the co-payments in an effort to save the state money. Teachers and state workers argued they would be forced to pay higher out-of-pocket costs starting Jan. 1.
They put pressure on Gov. Nathan Deal, who is up for re-election this year, to fix the problem. Money for the co-payments is coming of reserve funds for the state's $3 billion health plan.
``We heard our state employees and teachers and we listened,'' Deal said in a statement. ``I appreciate the board and the commissioner's willingness to work with me on a timely solution.''
The governor's office said co-pays will become effective March 14, but will be applied retroactively to Jan. 1.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/1/270430