Fri March 4, 2011 Washington State Legislature  Audit on K-12
health benefits runs afoul of unions  Majority Democrats in the
Washington Legislature are working to close a multi-billion
dollar budget gap. But they're not likely to implement a change
the State Auditor says could save $180 million over the two-year
budget cycle, as the idea runs afoul of the powerful teacher's
union.  The idea in question is to completely overhaul the
health insurance system for public school employees in
Washington. Here's what the State Auditor found.  Washington
currently spends nearly $800 million a year to provide health
coverage to more than 100,000 teachers, principals and staff.
Drill down and the audit found there are 10 insurance companies
offering 200 different medical plans.  It's a "mess" says Larisa
Benson with the Washington State Auditor's office. She recently
testified to lawmakers that the state could save $90 million a
year by creating one umbrella system for all school employees.
"By the way $90 million is