Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Philip Marcelo
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- The city and the unions were ordered by a Supreme Court judge today to begin negotiations this Friday to settle a dispute over the city's planned change in health care administrator. But whether the city can go forward with the move by Jan. 1, as scheduled, is unclear.

The city, which is self-insured, intends to switch from long-time benefits administrator Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island to two separate administrators, UnitedHealthcare of New England (for medical benefits) and CVS/Caremark (for drug benefits).

But a Superior Court judge on Monday blocked the city from making the transition until the deal goes through binding arbitration, which is a way to settle disputes privately through the use of an independent, third party body whose decision on the matter is final.

The city filed an appeal in state Supreme Court yesterday morning requesting that it be allowed to move forward with the benefits change until the arbitration process could be completed.

R.I. Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank J. Williams heard arguments from the city and union lawyers on the appeal this afternoon, but he declined to make a ruling on the matter, forcing the two sides to meet in last-minute negotiations.

 Tags  health-care administration Providence R.I.

Comments

Ernie said:

Negotiations should have taken place from the onset with the City's proposal to change medical health care providers with its employees. The term "last minute negotiations" is an oxymoron. There were never any negotiations in the first place. I believe the unions will negotiate in good faith with the City. On the other hand,I foresee the matter going to arbitration, eventually.

Link | December 23, 2008 11:51 PM
Report Abuse

---

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.