April 12, 2007 Issue (77k ) of Outlook and Review

While the dust is still settling from the passage of SB 426, which mandates health insurance for school districts through a new state pool, OSBA is gearing up to provide information, updates and direction for members. 

The critical transition will be between now and Oct. 1, 2008, when the new Oregon Educators Benefit Board insurance pool starts.

The OSBA Board and the Health Insurance Trust held a joint meeting April 1 to discuss the future of OSBA’s insurance trust, including its assets. While disappointed and extremely concerned about the passage of SB 426, the board will continue making decisions in the best interest of all OSBA members, and will work closely with the new OEBB to ensure a smooth transition of insurance plans. 

OSBA has submitted a list of school board members for the governor’s consideration for two appointments to the new board governing the pool.

“We’ve gotten a lot of questions about OSBA services and possible cut-backs, since the Health Insurance Trust is a significant source of our revenue,” said OSBA Executive Director Kevin McCann. “We don’t have all the answers, but we’ll find them and share them as soon as possible through our Web site, newsletters and e-mails.”

“I want to assure our members and partners they can expect our services to continue basically unchanged,” he added. “In fact, in the face of this challenge, we plan to strengthen the services our members value most.”

OSBA will offer its 45 years of insurance experience to help the new pool get off to the right start.

Because employee contract issues pose the most immediate need, OSBA’s human resources staff has analyzed short- and long-term impacts of SB 426. HRD Director Lisa Freiley encourages members to call her office directly for help.

Action on the status of OSBA’s Health Insurance Trust is expected in early May when the OSBA board meets in Salem; results from that meeting will be posted on the first work-day after the meeting.