Republican Rep. Matt Gress says he is looking into drafting a bill that would allow school districts to join the state’s large health insurance pool to lower costs for teachers. But Governor Katie Hobbs says her administration can accomplish the same goal administratively, without going through the legislature.
Currently, most Arizona school districts join insurance trusts that pool funds from several districts to get better rates and benefits.
According to a document obtained, Selianna Change, the governor’s education policy adviser, met with officials from Scottsdale Unified School District and the Arizona Department of Administration to discuss a proposed switch to insurance plans reserved for state employees. District officials estimated it could save $2 million a year in health care costs, according to the records.
Chuck Essigs, director of government relations for the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, said health insurance increases are a concern for districts.
“Just like average citizens and businesses and other government entities, health insurance increases are a major concern, so districts want to be as economical as possible,” he said.
The document indicates that SUSD could pilot the programme, but that the proposal still needs to be reviewed by ADOA.
A spokesman for Hobbs and a representative for ADOA did not respond to requests for comment.
