Everyone feels the impact of the health care crisis

“For the last three years, I have worked the same number of hours, but I take home less in my paycheck, because my raise has not covered the rising cost of health care.”

Peg Bestul

Peg Bestul, an education support professional in a Wausau elementary school, is one of thousands of essential ESP across Wisconsin who love what they do, but find they must sacrifice wages – or get a second job – to cover rising health care costs. “I’m making $12.30 an hour, after 15 years,” Bestul says. “In the last four years, my portion of the contribution for health insurance has gone up 50%.”

Like many ESP, Bestul has even found herself on payday owing the school district money to cover health insurance costs. So why does she do it? She loves children. “I feel I’m making a difference and giving back.”

When it comes to access to affordable, quality health care, your union has been on the forefront for years. WEAC has supported programs such as BadgerCare Plus, designed to provide coverage for all Wisconsin children, and Senior Care, a plan to give the elderly in our state the security and health care they need.

Now, WEAC is again moving forward – working toward the goal of providing health care for all Wisconsin residents.

“We know that under the Qualified Economic Offer we’ve been sacrificing salary increases for health insurance,” WEAC President Mary Bell said in announcing the priority last spring. We’re losing health care and retirement benefits incrementally now, and teacher salaries are rolling back because of escalating health care costs – a situation that cannot be sustained much longer as the cost of health benefits is expected to be 88.2% of teacher salary by 2020.

“But our commitment to health care reform is much bigger,” Bell stresses. “Our members care deeply for kids and their families, because we know that health care is also a learning issue.”

Bestul has high hopes for changes in the health care system that will recognize that the cost of everyone’s health care – not only education professionals’ – is unacceptably high. That’s due in part to the fact that citizens who are insured must absorb the costs of the half-million residents who are uninsured.

With real health care reform, Wisconsin will have the opportunity to save taxpayer dollars and put more money where it belongs – in the classroom.

“This is everyone’s problem – the person in the factory, the person in the office… We all have to work together,” says Bestul.

Startling statistics:

• Nationally, health insurance costs increased 78% between 2001 and 2007. (Kaiser Family Foundation)
• In Wisconsin, health insurance costs are 23% higher than the national average. (Mercer Health and Benefits Employer Annual Survey, 2007)
• If the price of milk had skyrocketed at the same rate as medical services in the last four decades, a gallon today would cost $30.
• For every uninsured person, more than $900 of unpaid medical bills per year is ultimately shifted to higher premium costs for those with insurance. (Families USA, 2005)

What can I do to get involved?

• Tell your story! It’s important that our legislators and others hear how these issues affect you and your communities. Consider sharing your school funding or health care story with us. It’s easy! Send it to shareyourstory@weac.org.
• Plan to attend WEAC’s Winter Conference (February 27-March 1, Milwaukee) to
  become part of the solution in your community.
• Learn more at weac.org/priorities.