Speaker of the House Chris Benge has appointed local State Representative Jason Murphey to the State Employee Health Insurance Review Working Group. This group is assigned with the responsibility of reviewing Oklahoma's state employee health insurance system.

The task force will meet over the summer and is required by law to study and examine the most efficient and cost-effective way to leverage state dollars to ensure the highest level of health care for state employees.

The task force should determine if the state's current health insurance system is costing the taxpayers by charging higher premiums than the current market dictates, and could make recommendations for changes to be incorporated in legislation during the next session.

Murphey said that a higher-than market cost may be detrimental to several levels of government because not only would state government be paying too much for health insurance, but so would county government and local school boards.

During the most recent legislative session, Murphey served on a committee that developed the legislation establishing the group. The working group will consist of two Representatives, two Senators and State Insurance Commissioner, Kim Holland.