Law enforcement leaving Clay County due to insurance issues

HAYESVILLE, NC – Prior to retiring from office, Clay County Sheriff Vic Davis raised concerns to county commissioners related to changes imposed on employee health insurance benefits. According to Davis, county employees must now self-fund a portion of the cost of health insurance, causing law enforcement officers to seek employment elsewhere due to the hardship.

Davis stated that county staff must now pay in excess of $55 per month per individual insurance, and a whopping $1,500 per month for family coverage. In addition, employees are challenged with a $5,000 deductable prior to the insurance taking effect.

“At these costs, it is making living more difficult on my staff,” Davis wrote in a letter submitted to the Clay Countgy Board of Commissioners, “They do not feel like they can see a doctor when they need one and we even have officers leaving because they cannot afford to work here and have insurance. It is shameful that we cannot retain employees because benefits have been reduced and taken away. All employees deserve good insurance at a livable cost to them and their families. But then consider the law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line each day and then have rising costs to be sure themselves and their families are looked after.”

Davis stated that while he understands the limitations the county encounters, considering the expenses, the sheriff said that insurance is essential to employees and family livelihood.