Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said on Thursday that the Affordable Care Act is forcing school districts to cut hours for employees and rely more on part-time teachers, coaches, custodians and administrative staff.
A provision of the ACA that requires employers to provide health insurance for all employees who work more than 30 hours a week has created issues for school districts, Alexander said.
“Individuals, families and businesses aren’t the only ones facing financial challenges because of Obamacare,” Alexander said. “Tennessee schools are also being hit hard by higher health insurance costs that are forcing districts to cut jobs or hours. Obamacare has forced schools to save costs with more part-time employees, from substitute teachers to coaches to custodial and administrative staff.”
Alexander, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said at least 11 school districts in Tennessee have been forced to cut back on staff or hours, and more districts will likely follow.
“Schools should be free to make decisions based on what will help students learn what they need to know, not on how to cope with Obamacare’s burdensome and expensive mandates,” Alexander said.
Alexander also noted that numerous school districts in Tennessee have begun to limit substitute teachers to less than 28 hours a week.