PAGE AND THE STATE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN

PAGE leaders and representatives have taken an active role in seeking improvements in the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). Most recently, the organization has been highly critical of the poor planning and lack of communication surrounding the proposed changes in the plan.

  • November 17 Statement, Albany HS � Jim Hayes
  • November 3 Statement, Albany � Jim Hayes
  • October 22, 2005 Letter from PAGE General Counsel Jill Hay to Tim Burgess, Department of Community Health Commissioner, Governor Perdue and other leaders.

    In addition to these recent actions, PAGE representatives have been speaking informally on a regular basis with DCH board members, leaders and staff members, conveying the concerns of our members across the state and urging action toward solutions.

    In recent months PAGE has also been working with various legislators, speaking personally with them about member concerns of cost, coverage and accessibility of providers across the state.

    At its Legislative Task Force meeting, held in Macon April 30, 2005, discussion of the problems with SHBP was held. The resulting legislative priorities were then added to the organization�s legislative agenda for the upcoming session:

  • Add educator and state employee representation on the Department of Community Health Board of Directors.
  • Improve state support of the State Health Benefit Plan to reduce the rate of premium increase and maintain the integrity of the plan.

    In addition to the above, Dr. Allene Magill, PAGE Executive Director wrote to Tim Burgess prior to the 2005 legislative session requesting that additional state funds be appropriated to reduce the need for premium increases, higher deductibles and increased out of pocket expenses.

    PAGE also vigorously opposed the imposition of surcharges when they were announced in the spring of 2005.

     

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    PAGE, the state's largest organization for professional educators, is a nonunion association of more than 65,000 teachers, administrators and support personnel members with the purpose of promoting better education for the children of Georgia.