Clinton County adopts PA 152 exemption to preserve current employee health plan contributions

Commissioners approved a resolution to adopt the annual exemption under Public Act 152 (Publicly Funded Health Insurance Contribution Act) for the county’s employee health benefit program.

County staff explained the statute offers three options: the hard cap, an 80/20 employer/employee cost share requiring affirmative board action, or a locally crafted exemption that a local unit can adopt by a two‑thirds majority. Staff and the health alliance recommended the exemption so the county can preserve existing health plan arrangements through the West Michigan pool; staff said employee contributions under the recommended exemption would remain below a 20% threshold and cited an employee contribution range of approximately 17.4% to 18.9% depending on plan selection.

A commissioner moved to approve the resolution; the motion passed by roll call (6–0). The action preserves the current cost‑sharing arrangement and allows the county to continue offering three plan options for 2027, including a Priority Health HSA option with county HSA contributions.