Health Insurance Costs Causing Problems for Arkansas Teachers
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: November 14, 2012
Health insurance costs may have a huge impact on Arkansas education.
The Little Rock School District is on the verge of a new contract that would fully fund employee health care.
But in most districts, teachers have to pay hundreds of dollars a month for care, and there are many who go without.
A legislative subcommittee tackled the issue Wednesday afternoon, and several people say good teachers are leaving Arkansas classrooms because they can't afford health care.
The state pays nearly $400 for an employee's insurance every month, which is enough for full coverage; but by law, districts only have to pay $130 per employee, or one-third of what state employees get.
Several districts pay more as a recruiting tool, like LRSD, but most rural districts pay the state minimum, leaving employees to pay hundreds for coverage.
"We are literally, the cost of healthcare is driving education professionals, who have experience, out of the profession. It is astronomical, and they cannot afford to insure themselves or their families, on the state minimum," says Little Rock Education Association President Cathy Koehler.
One thing that's not clear is where the money would come from. One teacher's advocate says districts could pay more by trying to pass a millage or making insurance a priority.
In some rural communities it's gotten so bad that health insurance is more than some employees make, and they end up writing the district a check every month to pay the difference.
The Little Rock School District is on the verge of a new contract that would fully fund employee health care.
But in most districts, teachers have to pay hundreds of dollars a month for care, and there are many who go without.
A legislative subcommittee tackled the issue Wednesday afternoon, and several people say good teachers are leaving Arkansas classrooms because they can't afford health care.
The state pays nearly $400 for an employee's insurance every month, which is enough for full coverage; but by law, districts only have to pay $130 per employee, or one-third of what state employees get.
Several districts pay more as a recruiting tool, like LRSD, but most rural districts pay the state minimum, leaving employees to pay hundreds for coverage.
"We are literally, the cost of healthcare is driving education professionals, who have experience, out of the profession. It is astronomical, and they cannot afford to insure themselves or their families, on the state minimum," says Little Rock Education Association President Cathy Koehler.
One thing that's not clear is where the money would come from. One teacher's advocate says districts could pay more by trying to pass a millage or making insurance a priority.
In some rural communities it's gotten so bad that health insurance is more than some employees make, and they end up writing the district a check every month to pay the difference.
Comments
I am a teacher, and I have seen these insurance costs explode over the years. There is no competition between insurance companies. The state allots money to the local districts for all of their expenses, then they have to decide where it goes. Many districts cannot afford to cover all of the premiums, so you end up with school employees paying as much as $1,200 a month for family coverage...and it's not that great. No dental, no vision.
I have begun circulating a petition to ask the Legislature to please fix this horrible situation that affects EVERYONE who works for the schools, not just teachers, also janitors, secretaries, cafeteria workers, nurses, teacher's aides. It is hard for teachers to pay these costs, but it's darn near impossible if you make $15,000 a year! The petition has fanned out across the state and has to date been signed by over 3,200 school employees.
Any school employee interested to having it sent to them can email me at sjbranscum@gmail.com. I'll send it to you and you can circulate it at your school.
Other state employees have the same insurance coverage at about a third of the cost. There are most definitely ways to correct this ridiculous inequity, and I for one intend to make sure that lawmakers knoiw how critical this problem is. There ARE solutions. Wringing our hands and thinking it's hopeless is not one of them!!!
Shelley B.
November 15, 2012 at 6:54 am
Jeramy D.
November 15, 2012 at 4:41 am
The comment below made me laugh. April S.--you must have some sort of supplemental income to support your lifestyle but most of us take a job because we have to have it. Wanting to be a teacher is a good thing but the benefits need to also be good as well in order to attract good teachers. Your mindset would say that they shouldn't even pay the teachers, they should just volunteer to teach out of the goodness of their hearts. [censored] tails are only in the books dear. Real life is totally different. You have to have the money to pay your bills and proper benefits in order to get by in life unless you have other sources of revenue and just do our job for the fun of it.
Jeramy D.
November 15, 2012 at 4:41 am
If you need a quote on a individual or family health insurance quote email mike@centralarkansasins.com
Mike E.
November 14, 2012 at 10:18 pm
I am one of those Arkansas teachers who pay over $1.000 a month for health insurance...NO vision or dental....strictly health. I didn't take the job for the insurance though. I teach because I love my job and my kids. Benefits are nice but that shouldn't be the leading reason why a person chooses to teach.
April S.
November 14, 2012 at 9:09 pm
