Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen says he's optimistic legislators can work out an agreement to require Iowa lawmakers to pay a portion of their health care costs.
Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday repeated a call that lawmakers should pay 20 percent of their health care premiums. Lawmakers, like state union workers, don't have to pay a health care contribution.
Branstad voluntarily contributes to his plan and was seeking contributions from state union workers. An arbitrator on Thursday awarded a contract to state workers that maintains the current health benefits.
Paulsen says an arrangement could be worked out by a bipartisan group of lawmakers that meets after the legislative session concludes.
But Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says it is too early to say what the Senate would commit to.
