Taxpayers foot bill for 75% of Nashville council’s healthcare benefit

A little-known benefit for Nashville's 40-member part-time legislative body is taxpayer-subsidized health insurance for life. Council members can carry the benefit even after they leave the legislative body, as long as they serve for parts of two straight terms and have the insurance while in office. The council itself recently lowered the number of years of service necessary to receive the subsidized health insurance after members leave office. There are 18 current members and 28 former members who carry the subsidized health benefit, which cost taxpayers $362,700 this year.