Escalating Health Insurance Costs in Denver School Districts

Employees in various Denver-area school districts are confronting escalating health insurance costs, intensifying their cost of living burdens. For staff at Denver Public Schools (DPS), health coverage expenses have surged, highlighted by a significant 26% premium hike. This rise has created severe financial challenges, as articulated by Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA), particularly impacting teachers and staff struggling to balance basic needs with adequate health coverage.

Cherry Creek Schools also announced a considerable 19.1% increase in health insurance rates for the upcoming school year, with monthly cost increments exceeding $600. The district's spokesperson attributed these adjustments to broader state and national trends, noting that negotiations and plan modifications averted a potential 40% increase. To tackle these financial challenges, Cherry Creek Schools plans to transition to a self-funded insurance model in the next fiscal year.

The escalating insurance costs affect a diverse range of school employees, including support professionals like bus drivers, office staff, and custodians. Gould mentioned that DPS is considering a mill levy override to garner voter support to alleviate financial pressures on salaries and premiums. Addressing these cost challenges necessitates coordinated efforts, from local initiatives like mill levies to potential changes in statewide policies such as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). Moreover, the district is collaborating with United Healthcare to gain insights into the drivers behind these insurance cost increases.