Teachers to vote on health plans

Terry Webster

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001 | 9:02 a.m.

Clark County School District teachers will vote later this month on whether to keep their current health trust or turn over their health care plan to Sierra Health.

Union and health trust officials have said the trust is several million dollars in debt.

Teachers will have to choose between keeping the health trust, a self-insurance plan that is run by a seven-member board of teachers, or whether to contract it out to Sierra Health.

Ballots will be mailed out to members Nov. 13 and will have to be returned by Nov. 27, John Jasonek, executive director of the Clark County Education Association, said. The new insurance plan is expected to go into effect Jan. 1.

The trust, funded by contributions from employees and the School District, fell into debt because of escalating health costs, Peter Alpert, chief executive officer of the teacher's trust fund, said.

"We've also seen a tremendous increase in hospital costs," he said. It spends more than $1 million for prescriptions a month, Alpert said.

An outside audit determined the trust is being properly run, he said.

Both the trust and Sierra Health have presented to teachers plans outlining their health care options. The plans vary in cost and benefits.

Alpert said teachers will be able to avoid paying more than they are paying now, but it will likely mean a reduction in benefits.

Members have options in each plan that will allow the price of their health insurance costs to remain the same or increase by up to $50, said Mary Ella Holloway, president of the Clark County Education Association.

With the differences in cost come differences in the health coverage, said Holloway. For example, with a lower priced plan, teachers may pay more for prescription drugs or doctor's visits.

The health trust covers about 28,000 persons, which includes teachers, their dependents and retirees.