TAXPAYERS FOOT BILL FOR 75 PERCENT OF COUNCIL'S HEALTH-CARE BENEFIT

By Nathaniel Luce

Publication: THE TENNESSEAN

A little-known benefit for Nashville’s 40-member part-time legislative body is taxpayer-subsidized health insurance for life. Many private companies are getting away from promised health-care benefits after retirement because of the unknown costs involved, said LARRY VAN HORN, a Vanderbilt University economist who studies the health-care system. He said even though the council benefit may be promised to a relatively small group, it will still carry costs well into the future. “There’s a real liability to the government if it’s booking that benefit and funding it,” Van Horn said. “That’s a pretty significant expense.”