Frankfort, KY:  Governor Ernie Fletcher will sign House Bill 1 into law later this evening.  House Bill 1 is an appropriation by the legislature which provides an additional nearly $200 million dollars to the 2005 State Employee Health Insurance Plan. On October 4th, Governor Fletcher issued a call for a special session of the legislature in order to work towards a bipartisan solution to the health insurance crisis inherited by this administration.

"After listening to the concerns of our valued teachers, state workers and retirees, I called the legislature into special session to address our health insurance crisis.  I am pleased that the General Assembly has worked in a bipartisan manner toward a resolution of this crisis situation," stated Governor Fletcher, who was traveling at the time the bill passed.  The Governor remarked that upon returning to the Capitol tonight, "I will sign House Bill 1 into law."

In anticipation of passage, the Fletcher administration has been planning and preparing for open enrollment and will begin immediate implementation of a plan to ensure that every teacher and state employee is signed up for health insurance coverage and have their cards in hand by January 1, 2005.

In the coming days, additional announcements will be made regarding the administration's "Don't Delay. Enroll TODAY!" campaign that will illustrate the numerous enrollment opportunities available to teachers, state employees and retirees.

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