Dakota Beacon

An Equitable Treatment of Public-School Employee Insurance Premiums

North Dakota public schools are funded primarily by the State of North Dakota (46.6% in the 2023-2024 school year). 37.5% comes from local sources and 15.9% comes from the federal government. Public schools received $2.47 Billion or $20,800 per student. The national average is about $21,089 per student. Reaching the national average for public school funding would require $2.5 Billion. The additional $30 million might best be spent toward the state picking up 2/3 of public-school employee health insurance premiums (near to the 62.5% of public-school funding that comes from state and federal sources). Public school employee payment of one-third of their health insurance premium should be the minimum incentive (called “skin in the game”) for each and every public-school employee to remain as healthy as possible. With the state paying 46.6% or more of public-school funding (that figure can be expected to increase over time by the legislature to prevent the abolition of single-family home property taxes) it would be logical to at least consider them “quasi-state employees”.

An Equitable Corresponding Change to State Employee Health Insurance Requirements

Federal funds accounted for 31.3% of North Dakota’s total state spending in fiscal year 2024. That leaves 68.7% funded by the State of North Dakota. State of North Dakota employee payment of one-third of their health insurance premium should be the minimum incentive (again, called “skin in the game”) for each and every state employee to remain as healthy as possible.

Do state employees currently pay an “employee share” of their health insurance premium?

This will probably be a surprise to North Dakota taxpayers. Currently, State of North Dakota employees have zero “skin in the game” regarding payment of their health insurance premiums. Repeating, the State of North Dakota pays the entire so-called “employee share” of health insurance premiums. This is an inexplicable and undefendable slap-in-the-face to taxpayers and must be corrected ASAP.

Look Around. What do we see?

We see a nation dominated by self-destructive behavior, from smoking, vaping, over-eating, alcoholism, drug addiction (including marijuana, the entry drug of millions), gambling addiction, under-age sexual self-mutilation (transgender surgery on minors), and “personality killing” addiction to their electronic devices. “Medicare for All”, the most-promised and touted Democratic Socialist (i.e. Communist) bribe to vote for Marxist politicians, requires zero “skin in the game”. Its consequences would be unbelievably tragic for public health.

What portion of health care premiums does the private sector require of its employees?

On average, private sector employees contribute 16% for single coverage and 26% for family coverage. Rising health care costs can be expected to continue to increase significantly until they level off by 2035 (at the earliest, 2050 at worst) due to diminished demand from the “baby boomer” generation. Is reasonable to assume that a 1/3 employee contribution toward health insurance premiums would likely never need be increased.

What should we expect as taxpayers?

When government employees pay even one-third of their health insurance premium (not health care premium), we will find them healthier and happier than ever. Lastly, and this is very important for you to understand, health insurance is NOT health care. Health insurance only mitigates the personal financial repercussions of problems with one’s health. The potential patient is still fully responsible for doing everything they can to prevent illness by living a healthy life.

What if Democratic Socialists of America (Communists) control the federal government?

The real question for our future is “when will more than half the country care so little about their health that they believe “government paid health insurance” (also called “single-payer”) can keep them from harm?” Only look to Canada and the United Kingdom for the dismal answers.

Love = Work + Courage