(1) Existing law, the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act, defines “employee” for purposes of eligibility for benefits under the act and excludes from that definition specified officers and employees who are employed less than half time. Employee contributions under the act are deposited in the Public Employees’ Health Care Fund, a continuously appropriated fund.
This bill would make the provisions of that act applicable to specified employees of a school or agency, as defined, at the option of its governing body, and would define annuitants for purposes of these provisions. By expanding eligibility for benefits under the act, the bill would increase the contributions to a continuously appropriated fund, thereby making an appropriation.
(2) Existing law, the Teachers’ Retirement Law, provides that the State Teachers’ Retirement System shall develop a program to provide health care benefits for members, beneficiaries, children, and dependent parents, as defined.
This bill would require the Teachers’ Retirement Board to report to the Legislature, on or before April 1, 2001, on a prescription drug program and a health benefits program for retired members, as specified, and would authorize the Public Employees’ Retirement System to submit a proposal to administer a health benefits program for retired members of the State Teachers’ Retirement System and their dependents.