ATLANTA (May 6, 2009) – Governor Sonny Perdue yesterday signed into law legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Demorest) that provides employees of Georgia’s independent colleges greater access to health care plans and lowers the institutions’ cost of coverage.
“Georgia’s higher learning institutions are feeling the pinch of a downward economy, and I am pleased that we are able to provide some financial relief through this legislation,” said Butterworth. “With the Governor’s signature, this bill will lower independent colleges’ expenses for their employees’ health care coverage, providing broader health care options to nearly 82,000 employees.”
Certain health care plans require colleges to obtain an insurance license, and Senate Bill 63 exempts Georgia’s 25 independent colleges from that requirement by pooling together their health care plans. Creating one combined plan will help the colleges buy insurance plans at a reduced rate. Many schools make up for employee health care costs in tuition increases. This bill will help ensure tuition costs remain steady with the money these colleges save on health care coverage.
As a freshman legislator, Sen. Butterworth was proud to carry this as his first bill in the Georgia State Senate during the 2009 session. Higher education in his local district will benefit greatly, as five of the 25 independent colleges are located in the 50th Senate District of Northeast Georgia. “This region has outstanding institutions of higher learning, and I am proud to bring something so beneficial back home.”
For more information on the bill, please visit www.senate.ga.gov and do a legislative search for SB 63.
Sen. Jim Butterworth represents the 50th Senate District which includes Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, and Hart counties along with a portion of White County. He can be reached by phone at 404.463.5257 or by email at jim.butterworth@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028