Concerns Over Rising Health Insurance Costs for Richmond Educator
RICHMOND, Va. — Sequoia Ross, an English teacher at Henderson Middle School, truly enjoys her role in Richmond Public Schools (RPS). With her personal ties as both a parent and a staff member, she feels the impact of her community deeply.
Yet, amidst her passion for teaching, there’s a lingering worry she faces annually. It’s the district’s open recruitment system that has her on edge.
“It’s uncomfortable when health insurance premiums rise,” she explained.
This concern is becoming a reality for her. An email from RPS recently informed her that, starting in 2026, the in-network deductible for their Cigna health plan will increase from $1,000 to $1,500.
While RPS assures that the monthly premiums will remain unchanged, Ross is apprehensive about needing to account for an extra $500 in out-of-pocket expenses before her insurance activates.
“My child has severe allergies, asthma, and braces. She’s expensive to care for. I’m really trying to keep healthy myself, but with her in elementary school, it’s tough. I hate to admit it, but she seems to catch everything,” Ross shared. “I constantly have to take her to the doctor.”
Alyssa Schwenk, a spokeswoman for RPS, acknowledged that the district aims to balance affordability and sustainability within their budget. Ensuring that premiums don’t rise has been a priority based on employee feedback.
“Like many large employers in Virginia and beyond, we’re facing rising health care costs. We’re searching for long-term solutions to address this issue,” Schwenk noted.
A national study by Mercer predicts that employer-sponsored health insurance plans will experience their most significant cost increase in 15 years in 2026, attributed to rising prices and increased usage of health care services.
“Everything costs more now. Insurance is essential for me. I think they know we have no choice; we need it,” Ross said, trying to find humor in a tough situation. “It’s overwhelming. Sometimes I just laugh so I don’t cry.”
Beyond deductibles, Ross shared her benefits package for 2026, which totals $526 per pay period. While most of this goes towards medical benefits, it also encompasses dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
Both Ross and her coworkers are advocating for changes that might ease the financial pressures on middle-class workers like themselves.
“We serve the public, and we’re the ones who feel the pinch the hardest. It’s not fair. Someone needs to advocate for us,” Ross emphasized. “It makes you wonder: how much worse can this get? How much more can I bear?”
The CBS 6 team reached out to Cigna for comments on these developments. A representative directed inquiries to AHIP, an organization representing health insurance plans.
An AHIP spokesperson released a statement explaining that “Health insurance costs reflect underlying health care expenses, influenced mainly by high drug prices and unclear hospital billing. Health systems are striving to shield Americans from these escalating costs, and policymakers should focus on sensible solutions to increase affordability for consumers.”
