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5/26/2009
WEA Trust doesn’t think it’s part of the problem?
Unbelievable. Mark Moody, president of WEA Trust, “a not-for-profit organization, which provides health and other insurance benefits for many public schools in Wisconsin” lambasts the nation’s “health-care system absurdities” and doesn’t seem to be able to remove the log from his own eye.
Just for the record, WEA Trust, created by WEAC in 1970, is the provider of choice for a majority of Wisconsin school districts, which not coincidentally employ WEAC-contracted teachers and staff. Governor Doyle vetoed a provision during the last legislative session which would have allowed district administrators to bid for health insurance providers; as it is now, WEAC union members negotiate the provider of health insurance benefits – and lo and behold, that provider is most often their very own WEA Trust. No bid. No competition. Taxpayers pay all. Or almost all.
Unbelievable. And unbelievably high annual insurance premiums. Over $20,000 annually for a family policy in many Wisconsin school districts. (A family policy cost AASD $18,266 for the 2008-09 school year. Taxpayers pay 95% of that, or $17,353.)
Here’s a classic from Moody: “We aren’t going to get a handle on costs unless government takes a stronger role. We relied on the free market to control costs for the past 20 years. How well has that worked?”
Unbelievable. Luxury plans for public sector employees – plans Moody is raking in dollars for – with low - or no - co-pays, are definitely not relying on the free market to control costs. Users have no idea what procedures, prescriptions and appointments, what their utilization is costing taxpayers and other premium payers. No bloody idea.
And this guy is talking reform? Geeez. Get serious.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
Jo:
This really upsets me since I am currently in the process of getting new quotes for medical insurance for my small company of 25 people. I have been told that I should be happy with a 15% increase this year.
Therefore, I will have to look at raising the deductibles in order to minimize the costs. I am also having two different brokers looking at this to get the best price.
So Mark Moody from WEA doesn't want to take the time or want to upset his relationship with WEAC to aggressively look at reducing costs.
Then again why should he since he doesn't have to worry about the bottom line and can just pass it along to the taxpayers.
Thanks for bringing this out and keep up the good work about incovering all of this.
Mike
Mike Thomas (Tue May 26 10:51:22 2009)
I could tell that Moody guy something; take a look at Sheboygan School District, where my husband works. They opted out of WEA's offerings, and use Blue Cross. Lower premiums, better service. Maybe Moody's jealous?
emily matthews (Tue May 26 16:19:09 2009)
Mark Moody is simply pointing out what is wrong with the system in general. WEA Trust is in the same boat as every other insurance carrier in that unless this nation finds a way to control health care costs, it will soon be unaffordable for everyone. I congratulate Mr. Moody for calling out the real issues that matter. It's too bad there will continue to be responses to his analysis like this that don't address the real issues, but take pot shots at an organization that has been a real benefit to teachers who are vastly under appreciated in this society. Before you comment about an organization, I'd suggest you spend some time actually talking to people at that organization and finding out what they are really about. You lost all credibility with me when you said, "which not coincidentally employ WEAC-contracted teachers and staff," which is patently false. Get your facts straight or shut up.
Edgar Oldbie (Wed May 27 07:17:00 2009)
Give me a break. First of all, this has nothing to do with appreciation of teachers - an old fallback of defenders of the status quo. Most teachers are excellent employees and perform their craft effectively and with care. The facts: the health care plan insisted on by most WEAC units around the state, offered by WEA Trust and funded by taxpayer dollars does not motivate insured individuals to search for quality care and competitive pricing. The structure of public sector insurance plans (very minimal involvement of the consumer in understanding the costs of procedures and meds) is a major contributor to those uncontrolled health care costs of which you speak. Time for you to acknowledge such, Mr. Oldbie.
Jo (Wed May 27 10:54:27 2009)
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