Arkansas lawmakers approve new health insurance rates for public employees

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Arkansas lawmakers have approved new health insurance premium rates for state employees and public school employees. The Employee Benefits Division Oversight Subcommittee on Wednesday took action allowing lower rates to take effect, following last week’s approval by the State Board of Finance.

In the next calendar year, state employees will be expected to pay $172 a month, while public school employees will pay $221 a month, according to a spreadsheet provided by the Employee Benefits Division (EBD). There are different rates for employees who include their spouses or children on their plan.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-20/arkansas-lawmakers-approve-new-health-insurance-rates-for-public-employees

Ronak Patel/KUAR News

Winston Simpson, a former public school employee, shared his concerns about the state's plan to improve health insurance coverage for state employees during a meeting on Wednesday.

Arkansas board approves changes to employee health insurance premiums

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Changes to Arkansas’ health insurance plan for state employees and public school employees have been approved. The State Board of Finance on Monday unanimously voted in favor adopting new rates proposed by the Employee Benefits Division (EBD).

Director of the EBD Jake Bleed said one change is dropping a wellness program requirement. “Going forward, we will not have a difference in our rates for those who meet wellness requirements and those who do not, at least for the time being. Now like I said, we will have a wellness program in the future and I certainly look forward to bringing it to the Board of Finance,” Bleed said.

The board also approved changing the monthly payments made by members on the plan. In 2023, state employees will be expected to pay $172 a month, while public school employees will be expected to pay $221 a month, according to a spreadsheet provided by Bleed.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-11/arkansas-board-approves-changes-to-employee-health-insurance-premiums

Ronak Patel/KUAR News

Jake Bleed, director of the Employee Benefits Division (center), explains to the State Board of Finance during a June meeting issues with the employee health insurance plan.

Panel approves rate increase for school employees’ insurance

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Arkansas lawmakers have unanimously approved a motion to direct school districts to increase the amount they paid into public school employees’ health insurance program.

During a joint meeting of the Arkansas House and Senate Committee on Education on Monday, state Secretary of Education Johnny Key urged members to approve the motion.

Currently, school districts are required to pay $150 per employee into their health insurance plans, according to the Legislature's website. Beginning Jan. 1, the rate will double to $300, due to the passage of Act 111, which was approved in this year’s fiscal session.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-04-05/panel-approves-rate-increase-for-school-employees-insurance

Ronak Patel/KUAR News

Elizabeth Bynum (left) and Julie Holt, who are both from the Bureau of Legislative Research, presented the Adequacy Study to the joint Arkansas House and Senate Committee on Education on Monday. The study is done to determine whether funding for education in the state is equitable.