Retired teachers fear loss of health coverage

Monday, Oct. 27, 2003 | 11:01 a.m.

For 20 years reading specialist Ann Hoskin has paid her dues to the Clark County Education Association's Teachers Health Trust, looking ahead to the time when she would retire and need the medical coverage.

Now Hoskin, who retired four years ago after 32 years in Clark County schools, says she and about 550 other retirees are being forced out from under the health trust's umbrella. The retirees have been given a choice of three plans that Hoskin said either cost significantly more or don't allow people to choose their providers.

"We were all active teachers when this trust was set up, and we were paying our dues to help the elders who had already retired," Hoskin said. "Now that it's our turn to need help they're throwing us out."

Hoskin, 58, is not yet eligible for Medicare, and the trust provides coverage for both her and her husband, who is disabled. Hoskin estimated that she spends about a third of her money each month on health care.

Clark County Education Association, which represents the majority of the district's 15,000 teachers and oversees the health trust, has scheduled a meeting today to discuss the situation.

The change in coverage is necessary because of rising costs and reduced reimbursements, said John Jasonek, executive director of the union.

Subsidizing the retirees is costing the trust about $2 million a year, Jasonek said.

"We had two options, change the plan or ask active teachers to pay more out of pocket in dues to cover the subsidy," Jasonek said. "The problem is we have so many younger teachers with less than five years' experience. A lot of our members are single parents and need every penny they can get."

By switching to Sierra Health, one of the plans being offered, retirees would likely see lower monthly premiums, Jasonek said. And beginning in July, teachers will be allowed to enroll in a new state-run health care plan, Jasonek said.

Officials are searching for a way to continue the retirees' coverage, at least temporarily, under the health trust and had asked the state's Interim Finance Committee for emergency funding to cover medical expenses until enrollment begins next summer, Jasonek said. Officials are still waiting on word from the state.