The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the fund that pays health insurance claims for state workers is running short of money.

Lisa Marie Shekell, spokeswoman for the state Department of Community Health, says the state Health Benefit Plan’s surplus of more than $472 million has been sharply reduced by budget cuts and work force reductions.

The department’s interim chief financial officer, Scott Frederking, says the fund could be broke by next spring unless action is taken.

State officials plan to raise the health insurance premiums of workers and retirees by about 10 percent in January.

The Legislature recently approved a $33 million shift in state money to the fund, and the state health agency is applying for a $100 million federal grant.