health051608
On the homepage
Scanners
Out There
Gas lines
Club Outdoors
Home | Politically Connected | State Politics
School employee insurance bill sent to Pawlenty
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on Diggsto
More from State Politics
For the second straight year, the Legislature has sent Gov. Tim Pawlenty a bill that would create a statewide health insurance pool for public school employees.
Whether Pawlenty will veto it, as he did last year, remains to be seen.
Under the bill, which both houses passed Thursday, the program would offer at least six health plans for eligible school workers, ranging from coverage without a deductible to a high-deductible plan paired with a health savings account.
All districts would have to buy insurance through the pool rather than negotiate their own plans, and all school employees -- who number more than 200,000 in Minnesota -- would have to participate.
The bill provides a $4 million loan from the general fund to create the pool.
Proponents say such a pool would provide relief to smaller districts hit by sharply rising prices from year to year. On the other hand, some observers say larger districts ought to be allowed to opt out if they can save more money arranging for their own insurance.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
Recent State Politics stories
Unallotment appeal put on legal fast track - May 16, 2008
Unallotment appeal put on legal fast track - Gov. Tim Pawlenty's lawyers got a judge's green light, and funding was restored to a state nutrition program. More
- Pawlenty defends budget cuts
- Senate passes $1 billion bonding bill
- $78.5M to stop carp invasion
- Bill helps consumers against debt buyers
- Pawlenty hints at stadium solution
- Pawlenty: Keep sex offenders in prison
- Pawlenty plays courier for Texas donor
- Pawlenty's final deer opener in Little Falls
- MN GOP candidate pushes horse-lover license plates
- Session starts with $1 billion proposal
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
StarTribune.com: Steals + Deals & Classifieds
Learn how to do it right.
Simplify your job search by learning the best way to approach networking, resumes, cover letters, and interviewing.
Tips for getting more for less
Subscribe to the weekly
Win tickets to Omnifest 2010 at the Science Museum of Minnesota's Omnitheater.Vita.mn presents Omnifest 2010 at the Science Museum of Minnesota's Omnitheater from Jan. 29 through March 11. |
Comment on this story | Read all 148 comments | Hide reader comments