Lapeer County commissioners refer self‑funded health plan proposal to committee with authority to act

The Lapeer County Board of Commissioners on a special meeting referred a proposal to adopt an employer self‑funded health insurance program to the committee of the whole with authority to act on Oct. 8. Commissioners voted by voice to send the item for final consideration after presentations from county staff and actuarial input from the county's broker, Marsh.

Chairman Howells opened the meeting by saying the single item was "the establishment of an employer self funded health care program," and county staff presented background and timelines. Moses, a county presenter, said the broker advised an October deadline for data to enroll the county for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Jackie Bennett, the county's financial presenter, told commissioners the model showed multi‑year savings under the assumptions used by the actuary.

Supporters framed the move as an opportunity to lower long‑term costs and gain more plan design control, while staff emphasized protections such as specific and aggregate stop‑loss coverage and procedural steps needed to finalize a resolution. The motion to refer was made in open session and approved by voice vote; a separate motion to adjourn concluded the special meeting.