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Thanks for the correction Bubbaburger, I've made that note in the article.

As for bill123's inquiry, I apologize if I'm misinterpreting your question, but my understanding is that the city has to re-bid for health care each year. Whether you're self insured or utilize a traditional insurance approach, you still owe the insurance company the price of the plan's premium for all the members that plan will cover, which is why you see these cost increases over time. Self-insurance just means the city takes the risks associated with handling claims, which can obviously fluctuate year to year depending on how many claims are filed. As I understand it, going self-insured saves money in the big picture, but opens the city up to more risk. There is stop loss insurance, too, in case an unexpected amount of members get hit with particularly expensive illnesses, like cancer.