LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that the State of Arkansas will help school districts cover the cost of rising insurance premiums.

“What these insurance providers are doing to our schools is outrageous. They gave districts no reasonable justification for skyrocketing premium costs. It’s clear that they’re just trying to line their pockets on the backs of Arkansas children and taxpayers,” said GovernorSanders. “To prevent our districts from facing financial difficulties, my administration is stepping up to help them cover rising premium costs.”

Arkansas school districts are facing substantial premium increases for the upcoming school year, averaging nearly 130%. Governor Sanders has authorized the State of Arkansas to cover 30% of the cost increase using money from the state’s restricted reserve account pending legislative approval.