Sussex County, facing the same tight budget as most other counties in the nation, made a change in the nature of its health insurance program which could have huge ramifications. While the county until this point has provided full and mandatory coverage for its employees, paying 100 percent of the cost, its new requirement of a $1 payment from each of its employees will make the coverage optional, therefore allowing employees to opt out of coverage. For those employees with other coverage, either through a spouse or a former employer, the ability to opt out of the once mandatory coverage will likely save the county thousands of dollars a year. The savings will depend on how many of those types of employees decide to opt out of the coverage. However, the decision to change the policy was easy and painless and presents no negatives, and may save taxpayers massive amounts of money in coming years. Why do you think this policy not enacted previously and will other counties in similar positions follow this example?