Boynton commissioner wants city to offer long-term care benefits

Aug. 25--Boynton Beach City Commissioner David Merker hopes the city will offer its employees -- including police and firefighters -- long-term health-care benefits, something he sees as often overlooked but necessary.

"It's something that's for the future. The benefits that are always talked about, requested, discussed and debated are benefits that are pertinent while they're working," Merker said. "Long-term care can happen while working, also, however people think of long-term care as after retirement, 65 and older."

Merker, who runs an insurance group in Boynton, mentioned the idea at a recent commission meeting. The commission agreed to discuss the topic further at a future meeting in September. Merker said he plans to explain the benefits of long-term health care so the rest of the commission can make an informed decision.

Long-term health care plans cover costs related to nursing home stays, home aides or assisted living.

While some local governments -- Palm Beach County and Tequesta, for example -- don't offer the care, others do.

Royal Palm Beach has offered this type of care to its employees since 2012, said Monika Bowles, the village's human resources director. The care is an option and the village does not contribute to the plan. The village was able to get the care as a group plan, which might offer better premiums.

Jupiter offers the care as an option, also. Employees can decide to elect a supplemental long-term care plan, said Jennifer Cain, the town's senior human resources generalist. The town does not contribute to the plan.

Merker said he decided to mention it after hearing about the contract negotiations between the police union and the city for its officers and detectives. Merker said he mentioned it to the unions, but after they didn't bring it up, he did.

"This is the most expensive care you'll need as you'll get older. When you're young you don't think of these types of illnesses like Christopher Reeve -- Superman -- falling off a horse being paralyzed for the rest of his life, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, strokes," Merker said. "Unless an occurrence happens to a loved one or friend, people don't think about it."

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