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School board approves new 2027 health plan designs and optional Garner program after heated debate
Summary
After hours of debate about costs, access and procurement process, the Hillsborough County School Board approved a package of 2027 health-benefit changes — including vendor agreements with Aon and optional employee tools from Garner Health — in votes that split the board.
The Hillsborough County School Board approved a set of changes to its employee health benefits for 2027, including an agreement with Aon as the district’s benefits consultant and adoption of Garner Health as an optional cost‑containment tool, following extended questioning from board members and public speakers.
Board members and staff framed the package as an attempt to avoid premium increases for employee‑only coverage in 2027 while using a mix of digital care, bundled‑surgery purchasing, and provider‑selection tools to control claim trends. Tracy Schatzberg, the board’s benefits lead, said the district will continue Vitality wellness incentives, PrudentRx specialty‑drug programs and Lantern bundled surgeries, and added Garner’s app-based provider guidance could return copays to participants who choose higher‑value providers.
Opponents on the board, including Member Patti Rendon and Member Jessica Vaughn, said they were unconvinced the plan protects employee access or provides sufficient contract transparency. Rendon repeatedly pressed staff about the absence of a separate signed contract for the $267 million Aetna (health‑carrier) arrangement, noting the district relied on an 89‑page RFP that the board approved May 5 as the operative terms.
Despite the objections, the board approved the consultant selection (Aon) and the associated consulting services RFP (Item 4.02) by a 3–2 vote (Combs, Washington, Gray in favor; Rendon and Vaughn opposed). The board later approved Garner Health (Item 4.03) 4–1 (Rendon dissenting) and adopted the 2027 plan design package (Item 4.04) by 3–2 (Combs, Washington, Gray in favor; Rendon and Vaughn opposed).
The debate centered on trade‑offs: board members and staff argued the set of levers could limit a projected 24% increase in claims to about 18.4% through targeted programs and employee engagement; critics said redirecting dollars into vendor fees and optional apps risks diverting funds employees could otherwise receive as raises. Schatzberg said some measures are optional and emphasized an outreach and training plan if the board moved forward; staff recommended fall and summer workshops to review implementation and early data.
Next steps: Garner is optional for employees and will be rolled out with communications and training if the board’s approvals are finalized; the district also plans regular checkpoints with the benefits committee and consultant to track claims, participation and savings.
