CALSTRS: Board Endorses Proposal for Medicare Coverage

      The California State Teachers' Retirement System's board of trustees backed a $1.2 billion proposal yesterday to finance Medicare Part A for the estimated 29,000 current and retired teachers who do not qualify for premium-free coverage, the Sacramento Bee reports. Educators hired before the 1986 institution of a minimum 10-year Medicare payment requirement are not exempt from paying a premium at age 65. CalSTRS's proposed Medicare benefit would also cover penalties faced by retirees who enroll in Medicare Parts A or B after age 65. Since CalSTRS does not maintain a systemwide health benefits package, educators must rely on their school districts for health insurance, although some districts do not cover retirees. The proposed health benefit will be decided this summer by the state Legislature and the governor (LePage, 6/9).