The HSA Effect: How Two School Districts Reversed Runaway Healthcare Costs
by Britt D. Trumbower A.C.B.C. and Dr. William J. West, MD
Moving to an HSA-qualified health plan enabled employees to take control of their healthcare and the district to take control of exploding healthcare costs. Now, employees are on a path to long-term financial security—and the districts are too.
Independent research underscored the viability of an HSA-qualified plan. To push back on rising healthcare costs, the school board, HR and school administration united together and sought to move to HSA-qualified health plans. However, prior to finalizing a decision, the union asked an independent arbitrator to conduct due diligence and perform fact-finding research. After thorough review, the published report concluded with this prescient insight:
“I am not persuaded that when it comes to the negotiations of health insurance in today’s environment that the conduct of a party in the past may be reason to excuse that party from making bold and deliberate changes in their strategy for gaining health insurance coverage and health care in the future. The fierce “cat and mouse game” that is played by health insurance providers, health care providers and consumers of both health insurance and health care is “fast and furious.” No party can rest on its laurels. Should a party cease its vigilance and fail to continuously and diligently consider alternatives to meet the demands of today’s healthcare coverage challenges and anticipate tomorrow’s, that party will surely come out a loser in this never ceasing, critically important game.”
– Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board , CASE #88-14-5-E
Fact Finding Report and Recommendation, March, 2014