When was the last time health insurance costs went down? Unprecedented labor-management cooperation on health care issues has led to a 2% decrease in Harvard Pilgrim HMO premiums for both family or single plans when open enrollment begins this spring.  The decrease is the result of the collaboration that began in 2011 between 36 unions with City of Boston management to make better decisions about health insurance through the Public Employee Committee (known as the PEC). Next up: the PEC will be part of an ongoing effort to control costs creatively (rather than shifting costs onto employees) while maintaining the highest quality affordable health insurance.