Bartholomew County Commissioners have approved changes to the county employees healthcare plan that will raise those employees premiums and deductibles.

Some employees say the changes will cost them more than $1,000 a year. Among the changes, new deductibles will be $2,000 for an individual, and $4,000 for a family. Premiums are also doubling.

Commissioner Rick Flohr said the changes were necessary for the county to work within the budget numbers available. Commissioners president Larry Kleinhenz said the dramatic changes have some employees upset, but the new plan was the best that could be done.

Commissioners voted unanimously yesterday morning to approve the changes to the plan.