Sacramento City Unified School District Provides Updated Negotiations Frequently Asked Questions 鈥� March 31
Sacramento, CA 鈥� The following are answers to frequently asked questions about the current labor negotiations between the Sacramento City Unified School District (麻豆果冻传媒) and the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA).
PROVIDING 100% PAID HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR SCTA-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEES THAT THE DISTRICT CAN AFFORD
Q. What change is the district proposing for employee health care coverage?
A: The district has proposed to continue to cover 100% of the cost of the Kaiser health care premium for SCTA-represented staff and their families, and to pay up to the Kaiser premium level for those employees on the HeathNet plan. In addition, for the 2022-23 school year, the district will provide a stipend to cover 100% of the cost difference between the Kaiser health plan premium and the HealthNet health plan premium. For the 2023-24 school year the district will pay 50% of the cost difference between the Kaiser health plan premium and the HealthNet health plan premium. The district has also proposed to provide a $3,000 stipend to employees that switch from HealthNet to Kaiser by June 30, 2022.
Here is an overview of the district鈥檚 proposal on health care:
Q: Is the district ending HealthNet coverage?
A: No. SCTA-represented employees may still choose to keep the HealthNet plan.
Q: Is the district forcing all SCTA-represented employees to switch to Kaiser?
A: No. District employees do not have to switch to Kaiser. They can stay with HealthNet if that is their choice. For the next two years, the District will provide a stipend for SCTA-represented employees that have HealthNet so they don鈥檛 have to pay the full difference between the cost of the Kaiser plan and the cost of the HealthNet plan. In the 2022-23 school year, the District will cover 100% of the difference between the Kaiser and HealthNet health plan premium cost difference, and in the 2023-24 school year, the district will cover 50% of the health plan premium cost difference.
Q: Will employees who choose to stay with HealthNet have to pay the extra premium costs beyond the Kaiser rate right away?
A: No. There will be no additional cost for employees who stay with HealthNet next year. The district is proposing three ways to help SCTA-represented employees with the transition to the Kaiser plan rate.
- The district has offered to pay for 100% of the difference between the Kaiser and HealthNet rates for 2022-23, and 50% of the difference for 2023-24. Starting in 2024-25 and beyond, employees choosing to stay with HealthNet will cover the cost difference themselves.
- As an incentive to encourage employees to switch to the Kaiser plan, the District will provide a $3,000 one-time stipend to employees who switch from HealthNet to Kaiser by June 30, 2022.
- Employees who have coverage under another health plan through their spouse or partner can receive a $250 per month 鈥渋n lieu鈥� of health care coverage through 麻豆果冻传媒. Annually this will total $3,000.
Q: Is the district taking away employee health coverage?
A: Absolutely not! 麻豆果冻传媒 will continue to offer health care coverage for employees and their family through Kaiser with no plan premium cost to SCTA-represented employees. Employees also have the option to stay with HealthNet if they prefer.
Q: Is the District proposing a hard cap on the amount it pays for Kaiser family coverage?
A: No. The District is proposing a 鈥渇loating cap鈥� that adjusts to the premium rate charged by Kaiser. If the rate goes up, the district will continue to cover 100% of the Kaiser premium cost.
Q: What is the current cost to the district for HealthNet and for Kaiser?
A: The table below shows that the costs to the district for the HealthNet plan are substantially higher than the cost of the Kaiser plan.
Q. How do health care benefits for SCTA-represented employees compare to benefits offered by other local government agencies?
A: Here is how health care benefits offered by 麻豆果冻传媒 compare to benefits offered by the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, and the State of California.
Q: How many employees are in HealthNet versus Kaiser?
A: There are 941 certificated staff enrolled in HealthNet. This represents about 43% of SCTA unit members.
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