Rochester Regional Faces Backlash Over Skyrocketing Insurance Premiums: Join the Fight with Our Petition!

Over 2,200 people have signed a petition from the nurse’s union at Rochester Regional Health. They are asking to reverse changes to employee healthcare plans that could significantly raise costs for workers.

Recently, the healthcare system paused open enrollment and review adjustments to insurance rates. However, many staff members feel these changes still don’t address their concerns.

Claire Gardner, a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rochester General Hospital, has worries about her co-workers. “The employees without union protection are going to feel the hardest impact,” she said. “Many already struggle to get by on low wages.”

The proposed changes aim to cut the Consumer-Directed Health Plan Plus, which previously offered lower costs. Now, employees will face higher premiums. For instance, a single full-time employee on the CDHP Plus plan paid $6.38 bi-weekly in 2025. In 2026, the lowest rate available will jump to $42.86 for the standard CDHP plan, impacting many nurses and other staff.

Will McMahon, a union organizer, expressed his shock at how sudden and severe the increases are. “I’ve never seen such a drastic change overnight without warning,” he remarked.

In contrast, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is also raising insurance costs, but not to the same extent. For a single employee earning under $71,000, costs are expected to increase modestly from $70.88 in 2025 to $74.43 in 2026.

The petition at Rochester General Hospital showcases voices from various staff members, including security, social workers, and physicians. A common sentiment is that a healthcare organization prioritizing patient care should extend the same consideration to its employees.

“Happy staff leads to better patient care,” wrote Colin Dewyea, a registered nurse in neurology. Patricia Valieri, another registered nurse, expressed disbelief that the organization doesn’t offer affordable healthcare for its lowest-paid employees.

While union members enjoy a cap on their annual benefits cost increases, most hospital workers lack such protection. The petition calls for restoring the CDHP Plus plan and expanding the benefits cap to all employees.

The conversations surrounding employee healthcare costs reflect broader changes in the healthcare industry, where rising costs challenge both staff welfare and patient care. Balancing premium costs with fair wages is essential for maintaining a motivated and effective workforce.

To read more about employee healthcare impacts, visit Healthcare Coverage Trends.

Source link