National study tracks ongoing efforts to trim costs.

• Position: News & Numbers

The number of local governments setting aside money to pay the long-term costs of retiree health care fell from 30 percent in 2010 to 19 percent in 2011, according to Health and OPEB Funding Strategies. The report summarizes the ways 1,690 city county, township, and special district governments are addressing health expenses as the economy continues to erode revenue levels.

Findings include:

* About 6 percent of local governments plan to eliminate health coverage. More than 25 percent plan to increase premium costs, increase deductibles and copayments, implement wellness programs, expand the use of generic drugs, or renegotiate with insurance carriers.

* Thirty percent already have implemented some of these changes.

* Sixty percent have not taken advantage of design changes such as disease management initiatives, wellness initiatives, or educating employees and retirees about how to make better health-care decisions.

* Seventy-two percent...