County health insurance cost skyrockets

Holt County Supervisors received frightening news on Halloween when they learned health insurance premium costs for county employees are projected to increase 24.1%, effective Jan. 1.

During Friday's scheduled meeting, Anson Insurance Agency representative Steve Anson told supervisors that current-year losses have been more than expected. According to Anson, Meritain Health expected $1.3 million in claims.

"We already have $1.3 million," he said.

Typically, three to five individuals on the plan exceed $50,000. This year, six have already reached that amount and two or three are "right on the e...