ORDINANCE NO. BL2011-50

An ordinance granting the Purchasing Agent and the Metropolitan Employee Benefit Board the authority to extend the current medical plan contracts for up to two years.

Whereas, the Metropolitan Government has adopted an employee benefit plan; and,

Whereas, the Metropolitan Government’s employee benefit plan includes medical plan coverage; and,

Whereas, the Metropolitan Government’s competitively procured self-insured and fully insured medical benefit plan contracts with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company will expire on December 31, 2012; and,

Whereas, Section 4.12.160(A) of the Metropolitan Code limits the term of contracts for services to sixty months, unless otherwise authorized by the Metropolitan Council; and,

Whereas, federal Health Care Reform law continues to evolve and pose numerous administrative as well as legal issues that have yet to be resolved; and,

Whereas, the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Health Care Reform law is likely to be decided by the United States Supreme Court and such decision may not occur until late next year or later; and,

Whereas, it would be in the best interest of the Metropolitan Government to have the option to extend its medical plan contracts for not more than two (2) years to allow time for more clarity and direction on issues such as employee engagement strategies, retiree health care solutions, and pharmacy benefits to ensure a more productive Request for Proposals process.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Purchasing Agent and the Metro Employee Benefit Board are hereby authorized to extend the current medical plan contracts for up to two (2) years, through calendar year 2014, if such extension is in the best interest of the Metropolitan Government.

Section 2. That this Ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Sean McGuire, Megan Barry

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	November 15, 2011
Passed First Reading:	November 15, 2011
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee Personnel Committee
Passed Second Reading:	December 6, 2011
Passed Third Reading:	December 20, 2011
Approved:	December 21, 2011
By: