County Extends Health Coverage for Reservists

Military reservists who work for county government will continue to receive medical insurance coverage when called to active service, Ventura County supervisors decided this week.

The decision came as the county’s tax collector announced that active duty members of the military may apply for property tax considerations.

Through the Federal Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, military personnel can request extended time to pay the second installment of the taxes due April 10 and will be assessed a low interest rate instead of the penalties that would normally begin to accrue, County Treasurer-Tax Collector Lawrence Metheney said. It is not necessary that military members be stationed in a war zone.

An application can be obtained from the tax collector’s office at 800 S. Victoria Ave. in Ventura, by calling 654-3738 or by e-mail at helpinghand@mail.co .ventura.ca.us.

The supervisors’ insurance vote will immediately affect the 16 county employees who have been activated, but a total of 65 could be called, officials said.

Federal law provides that employers must continue health coverage for a month before reservists and their families are switched to military health plans, but union representatives had requested that they be allowed to keep county-sponsored health plans to minimize disruption in their families’ lives.

Supervisors Steve Bennett and Linda Parks proposed that the county extend its coverage indefinitely.

Board Chairwoman Judy Mikels, the wife of a career Air Force pilot, said, “To have to deal with young children and medical issues is tough. This is one less disruption that they will have to deal with.”

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Times staff writer Sandra Murillo contributed to this report.