Louisiana health system charges workers $200 to insure unvaccinated spouses

The largest nonprofit health system in Louisiana, Ochsner Health announced that it would charge its employees an additional $200 per month to insure their unvaccinated partners and spouses who will be covered by the hospital group's insurance policies. This could also encourage workers' partners to get vaccinated as the financial costs of refusing the vaccine increases. The company referred to this new charge as a "cost adjustment for adult dependents who are not vaccinated."  The $200 charge will come into effect from 2022. Oscher already requires all employees to be vaccinated with exemptions for religious and medical reasons. Ochsner also added that adult dependents who wish to remain unvaccinated and dodge the $200 fee can seek health insurance elsewhere. 

Warner Thomas, CEO and Health President of Ochsner said in a statement, "This is not a mandate for the non-employed spouses and partners as they can choose a healthcare plan outside Ochsner as well." If applied, this shift could lower the costs and health premiums for employees who have decided to take the vaccines. The company had already spent $9 million on treatment costs related to COVID 19 for its employees.

Source: CBS News