Eastside Teachers Hold MI Rally Against Health Insurance Consolidation

Teachers unions from across the Eastside and East King County announced a rally will be held on Saturday, 10 a.m. at against a proposal in the state legislature to consolidate health insurance plans held by educators.

WEA-Sammamish Council is holding a rally for educators and their families who live in the 5th, 41st, 45th, and 48th legislative districts.The unions are opposed to SB 6442, which would consolidate all educator health care insurance plans into a single, state-adminstered plan. Supporters say the change will eventually save the state money in the long-term; critics say the bill will immediately shift costs onto teachers, making it more expensive for some of them.

The teacher's unions have invited Senator Steve Litzow and Representative Marcie Maxwell, along with Representative Ross Hunter to attend. Several educators, including a Mercer Island resident, will be giving their personal stories regarding healthcare.

The WEA-Sammamish Council is made up of nine teachers unions: Bellevue EA, Issaquah EA, Lake Washington EA, Lake Washington Educational Support Personnel, Mercer Island EA, Riverview EA, Snoqualmie Valley EA, Snoqualmie Valley ASA and Tahoma EA.