N.C. leader says $250 million needed now for health plan

RALEIGH, N.C. 

Legislative leaders need $250 million from the state's rainy day fund to ensure medical claims for state employees are paid this spring.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand said Friday the amount should be enough to fund the State Health Plan through June 30, the end of the fiscal year. Earlier estimates had set the amount needed at $300 million.

Rand said proposed legislation also would recommend insurance premiums to increase by about 7 percent annually for the next two years. Rand said workers could enter a more generous plan if they stopped smoking or lost weight.

More details will be discussed at meetings next week. Employees likely still wouldn't be required to pay premiums for themselves, only for their spouses and children.