Retired workers lobby city council against health care rate increases

PASADENA, TX -- Health insurance costs for Pasadena's retired city workers may soon increase significantly. Mayor Johnny Isbell and the City Council recently considered new rates where retired city workers under 65 years old would pay between $322 and $859 more than active employees for the same level of coverage.

Greg Dalton, who worked as a Pasadena Police officer for 37 years, was among a group of retired city workers who came to lobby city officials to reconsider the new premiums.

"As police officers, we protected and served the citizens of Pasadena for many years. We also risked our lives on a daily basis. Even though we are retired now, we are still police officers deep down and would not hesitate to help someone or get involved in something," Dalton said. "The citizens of Pasadena have always been very supportive of their police department. But, with the increase in the insurance, I'll be paying over $1,000 a month for my family and myself. How would you feel if you or one of your family members were in our place? I am asking you reconsider the increase in the insurance."

Read more from The Pasadena Citizen, a Houston Community Newspaper partner