Pocono News Section

Teachers: Health Care Costs 'Outrageous'

Teachers: Health Care Costs 'Outrageous' - Monday, April 7, 2008 at 11:57PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Monday, Apr 7, 2008 @11:57pm EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Hundreds of Scranton teachers Monday night showed up at a school board meeting to protest skyward health care premiums.

Some teachers say they're forking over $8, 000 annually for coverage under the district's contracted plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Northeast Pennsylvania. "They're not hearing the cries of their folks, the teachers that go into work and make them look good," Rosemary Bolland said, referring to school directors.

The Scranton Federation of Teachers has alleged the school board ignores pleas for relief from the plan that's said to be the costliest in the commonwealth. Bolland told WBRE News the second highest would likely be the Crestwood (Mountaintop) School District, where she said teachers, on average, contribute about $750 annually.

One school board director suggested a letter be sent to Blue Cross Blue Shield. In a statement to WBRE, an official from the health care company wrote that the dispute is between the teachers' union and the district, not Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Union officials say they're beginning new contract negotiations.