By AP
Frankfort, KY – State lawmakers will hold a public hearing on an effort to protect health care benefits for Kentucky's retired teachers. A House committee reviewed a bill yesterday that would enlist current teachers, some retirees, and school districts in helping preserve their health coverage. Under the proposal, active teachers would contribute more of their pay, retired teachers under 65-years-old who pay nothing now for basic health coverage would begin contributing, and public school districts would start picking up a share of retired teachers' health coverage. Executive secretary of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System Gary Harbin says the legislation promotes "shared responsibility" that will benefit all the stakeholders.