Local

Increase in CMPD's health insurance premiums hurts officers' morale, official says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers were shocked and hurt when they learned that they may have to pay up to $90 more a week for health insurance next year.

“Health care is one of those where you don't want to cut,” Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Michalec said. “But if it comes down to it, it's like what are we going to be able to afford?”

Michalec said many officers are still dealing with the sticker shock of the new health care premiums.

The city is offering all employees five options this year, instead of the two they had last year, with some having higher deductibles comparable to last year’s plans.

The top-tier coverage for an officer and his or her family, in particular, would cost $240 a week, which is $90 more than the comparable coverage last year.

Michalec said it has hurt officers' morale.

“It definitely (has) an impact on it,” he said. “I've been approached by a number of officers who are just fed up with it. They just don't know what to do.”

Michalec said he doesn't know of any officers leaving over the new premiums, but the increase comes as CMPD is struggling to find recruits, and this could only make that more difficult.