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Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1996

Lab health-care costs to increase less than forecasted

Laboratory health-care costs will go up, but not as much as originally forecasted. Employees can expect to see about a 24 percent increase in their monthly premium for the Los Alamos Total Care Plan.

Beginning Jan. 1, the new monthly employee premiums will be as follows: for single coverage, $47.63 (total premium - $186.63, employer pays $139); for two-party coverage, $97.04 (total premium - $382.04, employer pays $285); and for family coverage, $131.52 (total premium - $519.52, employer pays $388).

To minimize the premium increases, the following plan design changes also were made. Beginning Jan. 1, Tier 1 out-of-pocket maximum will increase from $1,000 to $2,000 for an individual and from $3,000 to $6,000 for a family. The Tier 1 physician office visit copayment for sick children ages two to six will increase from $0 to $15. The prescription drug copayment for up to a 30-day supply of generic medication purchased through a local network pharmacy will increase from $12 to $15. Additionally, a $250 copayment per hospital admission will apply for Tiers 1, 2 and 3 and out-of-area benefits.

Human Resources will conduct employee meetings for divisions to update employees on the health plan and the 1997 Open Enrollment process. The following divisions have scheduled briefings:

Two general sessions are scheduled to accommodate employees who can't attend their division meetings or if the division has not requested one. The general sessions will be Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the P Division Auditorium and Monday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Administration Building's Main Auditorium for "L" and "Q" badge holders only. Sign language interpreters will be at both sessions.

Anyone with comments or suggestions may write to benefits@lanl.gov.

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Tom Garcia selected to receive award for promoting economic development

A Northern New Mexico economic development organization has selected Tom Garcia, the Laboratory's director of institutional development, to receive an award for promoting economic development.

Garcia will receive the 1996 El Camino Real Award from the Hispano Chamber of Commerce del Norte during the organization's membership awards banquet Saturday night at La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, said Celso Archuleta of Procurement (BUS-5).

"I am honored to have been selected to recieve a 1996 El Camino Real Award from the New Mexico Hispano Chamber of Commerce del Norte," Garcia said. "I am equally honored to have been selected to receive this award along with such a distinguished group of co-recipients.

"I am pleased to be associated with the Laboratory at a time when the institution's vision and direction is so focused on fundamental growth for the institution and expanded economic opportunity for Northern New Mexico," said Garcia.

"For Tom to be recognized by this organization is good for the Lab because we have a key player who works here and is involved in Northern New Mexico issues," said Archuleta. "Receiving this award also will benefit the Lab in establishing a win-win relationship between the Lab and the communities."

New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., is the keynote speaker at the banquet, which begins at 6 p.m. at the downtown Santa Fe hotel.

Garcia is one of 15 people from throughout the state to be honored by the organization. Some of the other individuals to be recognized include New Mexico Highlands University president and former Lab employee Selimo Rael; author Tony Hillerman; radio and television broadcaster Ernie Mills; state Representatives Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe; and Raymond Sanchez, D-Albuquerque; flamenco dancer Maria Benitez; and professional boxer Danny Romero.

The New Mexico Hispano Chamber of Commerce del Norte is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Santa Fe. The organization provides businesses assistance to small, disadvantaged and women-owned business and to foster economic development and international trade in Northern New Mexico. The organization includes membership from businesses in 19 New Mexico counties.

"Tom is a very high-placed New Mexican executive and his record speaks for itself," said Andres Romero, chairman and founder of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce del Norte. "We are very cognizant of what is happening in Northern New Mexico, and we want to be instrumental in recognizing people like Tom because they serve as role models. If there is ever a time to be recognizing role models it is now."

Steve Sandoval

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