The City of Bellefontaine has received the Rosie Award at RosettaFest 2024, held recently in Washington, D.C. This award recognizes the city’s strong leadership in healthcare and benefits the community in many ways. Winning the Rosie Award shows Bellefontaine’s dedication to improving healthcare access for employees. The city is working to lower healthcare costs, which helps everyone get better access to services. The award highlights how Bellefontaine uses the “Health Rosetta Dividend” to cut healthcare waste and reinvest those savings into community programs and employee benefits. This reinvestment improves services.
In late 2023, Wes Dodds, the Service Safety Director, looked into the healthcare rates for the city’s 125 employees. When he found out the previous insurance company wanted to raise rates by 44%, he knew a change was needed. After talking with Christina King from C&A Benefits Group, a Health Rosetta Advisor, Dodds discovered a new plan that would save the city 15% compared to the previous year. “It was a no-brainer,” he said. “There have been some challenges, but overall it’s been great! The customer service is top-notch, and reinvesting in our community makes a big difference.” The savings have gone into the city’s general fund, allowing for more important projects to be completed.
King praised the city’s leadership, stating, “They’ve set new standards by easing the financial burden of healthcare for their employees.” Dodds expressed pride in the recognition, saying, “This award shows our team’s hard work in improving healthcare and supporting our community.” The new healthcare plan partners with Hickory Medical in Bellefontaine and Mary Rutan Health.
