Why haven’t retired educators accessed coverage on the open market?
A few have been able to do this, but obtaining health care coverage on the open market that is not part of a “group plan” can be very expensive. And for those who are under age 65 and have preexisting chronic conditions, coverage is often not available. In the case of STRS Ohio, we have about 38,000 retirees and their family members enrolled in the program that are under age 65. If the health care program ended, it is estimated that between 20%–25% of them would not be able to find coverage due to preexisting conditions. These individuals would join the ranks of Ohio’s uninsured or, if low enough in income, qualify for Medicaid.
