Teachers Are Fighting for Health Care—Will This Shocking New Plan Leave You Out?

In a compelling display of solidarity, over 100 educators and supporters gathered at a recent Board of Education meeting in New Haven, Connecticut, advocating for a critical change to their health insurance plans. The New Haven Federation of Teachers (NHFT) is pushing for the district to transition to a state health insurance plan to alleviate the financial burdens teachers face—burdens that can force them to choose between paying their bills and seeking medical care.

During the meeting, teachers voiced their concerns about the current health insurance offered by the city, arguing that it is inadequate and expensive. Wilbur Cross science teacher Charles O’Donnell highlighted a significant issue: "I am frustrated because adjusting for inflation, my income has dropped by about $2,000 since I started teaching in 2019." O'Donnell, who is in his mid-30s and raising young children, expressed fears that the current contract negotiations are not addressing the serious commitments needed to retain educators in the district.

Mayor Justin Elicker, a voting member of the Board of Education, addressed the teachers' concerns but emphasized that moving to the state health insurance plan would create an imbalance. He argued that doing so would be too costly, as it would separate teachers from the rest of the city employees who are on the same plan. "The city does not have enough money to fund what the teachers union is demanding regarding healthcare," he stated, noting that the city currently pays $40.8 million for its multi-tiered health plan, while the cost of the proposed state plan would be $41.1 million.

In the face of rising costs and stagnant wages, educators like Theresa Purdie and Erin Michaud shared personal anecdotes that illustrate the ongoing struggles. Purdie, a veteran teacher, pointed out that New Haven teachers earn significantly less than their counterparts in nearby towns while paying more for medical care. "Across the district, teachers are skipping doctor visits. They’re delaying tests and avoiding specialists because they simply cannot afford it," she explained.

Michaud, who has been teaching for 25 years, revealed a striking example of these rising costs. This year, she learned that her co-pay for a prescription skyrocketed from $75 every three months to $680 under the current plan. "No teacher should have to choose between paying their bills and seeing a doctor," she stressed, emphasizing the need for fair and equitable health insurance for educators.

As negotiations between the New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) and the NHFT continue, a mediation session is scheduled for Tuesday, aiming to develop a new tentative agreement that will take effect on July 1, 2026. The union and the school district have until December 17 to reach an agreement before an arbitrator would intervene. This issue extends beyond individual contracts; it signals a worrying trend in which educators feel increasingly pressured by financial constraints.

First-year teachers like Laura Cunningham, who holds a master's degree, are also feeling the pinch. With a starting salary of $54,000, she noted that the financial reality makes it difficult to consider future plans, such as starting a family. "Even with HSA deposits from the city, it feels like I don’t have any health insurance coverage until I meet my deductible," she lamented. Cunningham feels that with competitive offers from other districts—like Hartford Public Schools, which is offering starting salaries of $62,000 for educators with a bachelor's degree—remaining in New Haven is becoming increasingly untenable.

Mayor Elicker acknowledged the ongoing financial struggles faced by the city and the school district, stating that chronic underfunding by the state hampers their ability to provide educators with the salaries and benefits they deserve. "We will never be able to provide our teachers with the contract they deserve or our students with the education they deserve so long as we continue to be chronically underfunded by the state," he pointed out.

As both sides prepare for further negotiations, the voices of New Haven's educators are clear: health insurance should not be a barrier to their well-being or their ability to teach. As O'Donnell put it, “Take seriously our request to look at our health care. It is not good.” With educators advocating for change, the hope is to secure not just better health insurance options but also a commitment to fair wages that reflect the increasing costs of living and healthcare in today’s economy.