The Northern Marianas administration of Governor Eloy Inos is looking at extending the government's heath insurance contract with Aetna for at least a month.
It is considering the option, as a decision has not yet been reached on two vendors vying to take over Aetna's contract with the government, which expires on December the 31st.
Health insurance premiums for government employees and retirees could go up by 30 percent to 45 percent as early as January the first next year, unless the government finds ways to keep costs down.
