| At Tuesday’s BAC (Benefits Advisory Committee) meeting—one month since the district approved United Healthcare (UHC) without bargaining—Jeffco projected much higher premiums than originally discussed in January. Employees who choose to use UHC will be faced with premium increases of either 17% or 35%, depending on the plan. This is unacceptable. The district must publicly answer for these drastic cost increases. Even more alarming to BAC members was the admission from Jeffco leadership that UHC hadn’t set the UHC rates; Jeffco sets their own rates for these plans. Jeffco claims that for years, employees have been undercharged for healthcare benefits, an outrageous and angering claim. Right now, Jeffco passes nearly all healthcare cost increases onto employees by maintaining a flat contribution rate instead of a percentage-based contribution. This means that when healthcare premiums go up, Jeffco’s costs stay the same, forcing employees to pay more. JESPA and JCEA are demanding a percentage-based system—so for the first time, the district would also be responsible for paying its fair share of premium increases. This change would force them to take health insurance more seriously and work with us to bargain for better rates and coverage options. 📢 We are calling on Jeffco to present a full, public explanation of what they are planning to pass onto employees. No more backroom deals. No more sudden, unaffordable hikes. Employees deserve transparency and fairness in their healthcare costs. |
| Join us at bargaining TONIGHT to demand answers! 📍Jeffco Ed. Center, 1825 Denver West Dr. Bldg 27, Floor 5 🕕 2:30PM-9PM |
| Do you have a healthcare story? Want to help hold Jeffco accountable? Email organize@jeffcoesp.org to share your experience and get involved. |
