Many healthy returns

Boston Herald

Back when Beacon Hill was considering reforms to the way cities and towns design health plans for their workers, we were warned by public employee unions that the end of the world was nigh. Turns out, not so much.

The Patrick administration last week released figures indicating taxpayers in four communities that have taken advantage of the new rules — Arlington, Somerville, Wakefield and Gardner — are on pace to realize $9.9 million in premium savings. Employees will realize another $4.8 million in premium savings, the administration said.