Reminder: 
AEA RALLY TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE

The AEA will hold a rally January 24, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the steps of the State Capitol. Please join your fellow educators as we advocate for increased health insurance funding. Only together can we obtain the resources we need to raise the employer contribution for health insurance.

Right now, Arkansas pays less than 50 percent of a single public school employee’s health insurance premium, compared to 75 percent nationally, on average. If we want to continue to attract and retain qualified educators in the state, Arkansas must offer competitive benefits, including health insurance.

In November, the House and Senate Interim Committees on Education approved a motion to recommend to the 87th General Assembly that the state adopt a goal of providing public school employees with 75 percent of the premium for single coverage and 50 percent of the premium for employee and dependent coverage by the year 2015. The increase would be phased in over the next three biennia and requires an additional general revenue appropriation and funding of $15.9 million in fiscal year 2010 and $47 million in fiscal year 2011.

Regrettably, Governor Beebe did not mention public school employee health insurance in his State of the State Address on Tuesday.  Furthermore, the administration’s proposed budget at this time does not include any additional funds for public school employee health insurance.  At the same time, the budget has a recommendation of $75 more per month for state employee health insurance.

Our message to legislators is to support the recommendation of the House and Senate Interim Committees on Education to the 87th General Assembly.

Please contact your local president and let her or him know that you will attend the rally.  Also, find out how your local association will be involved in the rally. See you there!

Together we can, and together we will build a great public school for every child.