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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Ind. Gov't. - More on "Lake Council prepares to deny public defenders insurance coverage"

Updating this ILB entry from Jan. 11th, a long story today in the NWI Times, reported by Susan Brown, is headed "Lake County public defender program at risk?" It begins:

CROWN POINT | Lake County's head of public defenders said he is readying for battle with county officials gunning to cut health insurance benefits for his attorneys.

"We are taking the same position as last year — that we feel our attorneys should be included," said Chief Public Defender David Schneider.

He said his main reasons for defending the retention of insurance benefits include the amount of time the attorneys put in on criminal felony cases — and also the $1.3 million in state reimbursements the program brings the county.

"We would be losing veteran attorneys," he said. "The ones hurt in the end are the clients."

Schneider said under the county's program, as approved by the Indiana Public Defender Commission more than a decade ago, providing health insurance was part of the agreement.

The county is spending about $410,400 to cover the insurance premiums for the felony division's 27 public defenders, plus whatever claims arise.

From a side-bar:
Coming Monday: Lake County government's self-insurance health plan could be broke in two years if officials don't reduce the claims. About 30 employees account for $5.8 million in claims.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 29, 2012 01:35 PM
Posted to Indiana Government