Two measures now before the General Assembly, Delegate Yost’s HB 1356 ,
and Senator Barker’s SB 1367, will enable school divisions to participate in the
state employee health insurance plan.
By opening the State employee plan and allowing local government and
school division employees to join voluntarily, we will be able to reduce
costs to localities and increase benefits for employees. Localities will be able to take advantage of
the increased bargaining power and reduced administrative costs associated with
the State plan. Locality employees will
receive the same comprehensive benefit coverage that state employees currently
receive. Localities will see savings
that can be used locally and may be able to offset property tax increases.
JLARC estimates that a statewide plan for school system employees will
save between $44 and $66 million a year.
Delegate
Yost’s HB 1356 is now before the House Appropriations Committee.
Membership: Putney (Chairman), Tata, Ingram, May, Sherwood, Cox, M.K., Landes, Jones, O'Bannon, Lingamfelter, Poindexter, Massie, Scott, E.T., Peace, Greason, Scott, J.M., Joannou, Brink, Ware, O., Howell, A.T., BaCote, Dance
Senator
Barker’s SB 1367 is before the Senate Committee on Finance
Membership: Stosch (Chairman), Colgan, Howell, Saslaw, Norment, Hanger, Watkins, Marsh, Lucas, Newman, Ruff, Wagner, McDougle, Vogel
Please call
or email your Delegate and Senator in support of statewide health insurance for
public school employees.
