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Paraprofessional urges board to revisit health plan after premium spike
Summary
A paraprofessional told trustees changes to the district's health plan will raise her pay‑period premium from $29 to $147 and could cut off access to necessary durable medical equipment because many specialists do not accept the new HMO; she asked the board to survey employees and consider affordable PPO options.
Jessica Wilson, a paraprofessional at Oakwood Intermediate, addressed trustees during hearing of citizens with a personal appeal about employee health-insurance changes. "My name is Jessica Wilson, and I am a paraprofessional at Oakwood Intermediate," she said before detailing the impact of the district’s switch in plans.
Wilson said the district’s previous Blue Cross Blue Shield HSA $3,000 PPO plan had cost her $29 per paycheck; she said the proposed Scott & White HMO‑only option would raise her premium to $147 per paycheck. "That's an increase of $117 a pay period or nearly 400% increase for essentially the same coverage," Wilson said, and she estimated the change would reduce her take-home pay by about $2,800 a year. She told the board many specialists do not accept the HMO and said she relies on durable medical equipment, including a wheelchair. Wilson asked trustees to survey employees and evaluate additional insurance options that preserve access to out‑of‑network care and specialists.
Board members acknowledged the concern and said the board would consider employee input as insurance offerings are evaluated in future procurement cycles. Wilson’s statement was heard under the public‑comment rules; trustees did not act on the request during the meeting.
