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Together, we’re making SEBB better

10/21/2024
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HEALTH CARE

Together in our union, we’re speaking out for better wages and more affordable health care for all school staff.  This fall, as we do every two years, we  joined with fellow educator unions to bargain with the Health Care Authority for improvements to School Employee Benefits Board (SEBB) benefits. Together we achieved about $10 million in additional investment in our benefits.

Health benefits are frustrating for many of us. Neither WEA, SEBB, nor the Health Care Authority has control over price increases or the availability of providers, but we can bargain for small changes the state’s financial contributions to the plans. Together WEA members have preserved millions in existing funding for statewide benefits. Furthermore, we’re part of an ongoing conversation about how SEBB can better meet the needs of People of Color and low-income members. Additionally, we’ve convened a workgroup focused on reducing potential healthcare access disruptions when insurers and medical providers can’t agree on in-network costs. 

From the beginning, we’ve stressed the need for affordable, accessible SEBB plans that center on equity. This year we were able to take the first step by creating a $200 FSA benefit for members paid less than $40,000/year.  When the benefit begins in 2026, the Health Care Authority will send eligible SEBB members enrollment and reimbursement information. And now that this FSA benefit has been created, together we’ll continue fighting for more money available to more people to help offset the cost of care.

We’re also part of an ongoing conversation about how SEBB can better meet the needs of People of Color and low-income members plus we’ve convened a workgroup to reduce potential healthcare access disruptions when insurers and medical providers can’t agree on in-network costs.

How would you like your SEBB benefits to change or improve? Let us know!

Posted in: Health care | SEBB
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