State pay insurance for teachers?

A panel of the Pa. General Assembly has legislation that could eventually place most public school teachers and other school employees in Pennsylvania under a statewide health benefits plan.

The measure passed the House Education Committee and now goes before the full House. State Assemblyman Dan Surra (D-Elk/Clearfield), the bill's sponsor, said it would lower real estate taxes and reduce teacher strikes.

"Skyrocketing employee health care costs are one of the biggest drivers of school budget increases and rising property taxes," Surra said. "Health benefits are also routinely the biggest point of contention during contract negotiations."

HB1841 would create a Public School Employees' Benefit Board to devise a health benefits plan for school employees, or implement an alternative plan. School districts would enter the statewide plan as their current contracts expire.

"One of the biggest advantages is the leverage that 500 combined school districts would have when purchasing coverage," Surra said. "One study has forecasted that this could lower health care costs for school districts by $500 million."

Between 2003 and 2005, the cost of providing health coverage to employees rose by 24 percent in Pennsylvania school districts.