Teachers & Health Care Benefits

Teachers in the Copper Country will have to shoulder some of the burden of their medical insurance.

Area school leaders met with State Senator Tom Casperson and State Representative Matt Huuki on Friday for the 2011 Legislative Luncheon in Hancock.

Among the topics discussed were new laws that affect the medical benefits paid out to teachers.

Teachers will be asked to pay either 20% of their premiums or have a hard cap placed on the insurance payouts.

Copper Country Intermediate School District Superintendent Dennis Harbour said the changes to the benefits are really helping the schools.

Harbour went on to say that the insurance company would likely lower their costs for insurance so that it would be more affordable for employees.

The projected savings for area school districts would top $2 million a year.