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This week we received notice from the Church Pension Group that health insurance rates will increase for congregations by 14% for 2027.
This is a steep increase. It will be painful for many of our congregations. Health care costs can force congregations to decide whom they can call, and whether they can afford a full-time priest.
Organizations across the country are absorbing the steepest health care increases in a decade, driven by hospital prices, higher use of care, and drug costs. Church Pension Group’s plans are subject to the same forces.
We will help you understand what this means for your budget. Our communities shouldn’t face these changes alone.
- I’ve asked clericus deans to work with regional canons to schedule meetings across the Diocese. At those meetings we’ll model what each plan option would cost your congregation and your clergy so that you can decide with real numbers. Regional canons will reach out with dates.
Last winter we named a health care task force, co-chaired by diocesan Trustees Diana Wheeler and Richard McKeon and including clergy and lay leaders from every region of the Diocese. They are examining changes in policy and support that could lower costs while maintaining care.
That work will take years to phase in, which is why our immediate priority is helping this fall.
- I’m grateful to Richard, Diana, and the task force for their careful work, and to the Church Pension Group, who have been steady partners through this process and will be with us in the longer work ahead. My thanks as well to Sara Saavedra, Ashley Gonzalez, Judi Allen, and Canon Alissa Newton.
The most important thing we do is care for one another, and health insurance provides a foundation of that care.
We are local and we share in common mission. We will walk through these changes together.
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