The following is a press release from the North Carolina Association of Educators
Earlier today, NCAE President Mark Jewell sent a letter to Treasurer Dale Folwell, asking him to directly address the worsening situation with the Clear Pricing Project and the State Health Plan. The letter reads, in part:
“NCAE has already expressed our concerns to you about risking our members’ health as part of a political power struggle, and we are even more concerned for the health of our members given the revelations of the past week.”
“We share your concern over the billing practices of hospitals and health systems which charge the SHP an excessive and unpredictable amount of money for the same procedures… and your vision for a more transparent and open healthcare marketplace, and also agree that steps must be taken to save the SHP money wherever possible. Unfortunately, both of these laudable goals are now in jeopardy as a result of the flawed CPP strategy and implementation.”
“Because we all now find ourselves in this untenable position, NCAE requests that your office 1) communicate directly with SHP members in an honest and open way about the current state of the CPP contract process, including a full explanation of how we arrived at this current situation and 2) fully explain your proposed solution to the current impasse, including a detailed timeline for implementation.”
“For the public school educators all over the state who are preparing to return to their schools and worksites over the next few weeks, this entire process has been a very unwelcome distraction. North Carolina educators need you to do your job, so they can concentrate on doing their jobs.”
The entire letter can be found here.
NCAE is the state’s largest education advocacy organization for public school employees, and represents active, retired, and student members.
