Commissioners discuss ways to promote active participation in health care system

With the flu on the rise and school back in session, county commissioners discussed ways to incentivise county employees to take regular, preventative measures to improve their health, including regular check-ups.

“We need to keep pursuing that,” Robert Acuff said.

The discussion has been ongoing since the new health insurance policies took effect. If employees are seeking regular check-ups, the committee said, it can help reduce the frequency of expensive treatment later on, which saves the county money, too.

“A gentleman said his insurance pays a part of it,” Austin Jaynes said. “They are required to do it. If not, they are hit with a higher deductible.”

Jaynes said this need to incentivise in some form is important because of just how costly insurance can be for some of them.

“Some of our employees, we are paying all of their health insurance,” he said.

Members of the committee expressed concern at punishing employees for not taking action rather than rewarding them for doing so.

“You have to change the culture,” Ray Lyons said.

The conversation focused on vaccines, particularly the flu shot, as the recent epidemic sweeps through the tri-cities region.

“Walgreens came up to give the flu shot,” Mayor Rusty Barnett said. “Nobody came.”

Brad Johnson said the spread of information is diminished in county government. Several attempts to educate employees on new health insurance opportunities met with few people willing or able to listen.

“When it involves a county employee, we have no line of communication,” Johnson said.

Acuff pointed out there is a stigma surrounding vaccinations in the county, a stigma he said he would like to dispel in order to encourage people to obtain what they need.

Further, a lack of ability to seek treatment for seasonal illnesses impacts the schools, as well.

“Kids are still sent to school sick,” Acuff said.

The committee is still waiting on information about what their options are before they can set any firm policies.

The committee also unanimously approved the 2020 reimbursement rates for EMS workers under TennCare, which they have to approve every year as the rates change.

SportsPlus

Local news

Main Street Elizabethton’s 2024 Scarecrow Contest transforms downtown, public voting to determine winners

Local news

Elizabethton to begin curbside leaf collection in November, continuing through January 2025

Church News

The Power of God’s Word

Community

Upcoming events in Elizabethton….

Church News

Church Briefs

Church News

Roan Street FWB will have homecoming Sunday with music by Loren Harris

Local news

Hopwood Christian Quilt Show scheduled October 25 & 26

Church News

Why did Jesus say ‘Don’t cast your pearls before swine’?

Local news

Early voting in Carter County could break record

Local news

Halloween celebration comes early to Tusculum U. with ‘Edgar Allen Poe and Other Stories in the Woods’

Church News

Doe River Gorge works with Elizabethton Red Stone Church in flood recovery efforts

Local news

Carter County voters turn out in droves despite chilly weather on first day of early voting

Local news

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The importance of annual screenings

Local news

Milligan homecoming features president’s inauguration and array of student events

Local news

Storyteller Megan Wells to perform ghost stories at Johnson City Public Library

Local news

Friends of the Johnson City Public Library to hold book sale

Local news

VIDEO: Josh Smith interviews local pastor as Carter County enters new phase after storm

Local news

East TN mobile health center rolls in to help, post-Helene

Local news

Tennessee realtors to offer funding for hurricane victims

Local news

Lee, TDEC announces $1.83 million loan for Chuckey Utility Water District

Local news

Singer-songwriter Dallas Wayne to headline at the Down Home in Johnson City

Local news

Country powerhouse Sara Evans to perform at NPAC October 27

Local news

Actresses Alexa PenaVega and Taylor Dooley serve at East Tennessee Disaster Response

Local news

Avery County man charged with sexual exploitation after social media investigation