Icon (Close Menu)

CPG Keeps Healthcare Cost Increase Below National Average

By Kirk Petersen

The cost of healthcare coverage only moves in one direction, and once again costs are rising faster than inflation. For people covered under the Church Pension Group’s Denominational Health Plan (DHP), however, the cost is rising less than the national average for similar plans.

The annual report for the DHP states that the plan posted “an average rate increase of 5.5% for 2020 as compared to an average forecasted rate increase of 6.5% among U.S. employers.” The current overall inflation rate is about 2.5%.

DHP added 530 subscribers to the plan, bringing total subscribers to more than 13,200, said Curt Ritter, senior vice president for corporate communications.

The DHP was created by a resolution of the 2009 General Convention, and since 2014 all it has covered all domestic dioceses. It also covers employees of 48 other groups related to the Episcopal Church, including schools, camps and conference centers.

By combining the purchase power of the entire Church, the DHP is able to negotiate more favorable terms with program vendors.

For non-domestic dioceses, CPG maintains a Fund for Medical Assistance, which made grants of $55,355 in 2019 to help defray employee medical costs that are not covered by insurance.

Kirk Petersen began reporting news for TLC as a freelancer in 2016, and was Associate Editor from 2019 to 2024, focusing especially on matters of governance in the Episcopal Church.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Top headlines. Every Friday.

MOST READ

CLASSIFIEDS

Most Recent

Synod Rejects Bishops’ ‘Power Grab’ on Episcopal Elections

The Rev. Lis Goddard claimed that proposals to eliminate the secret ballot, lower the election threshold, and give archbishops an extra vote to break ties amounted to “a massive shift in how we operate, shifting the power dramatically to those who already hold the majority of power.”

USAID Freeze Worsens Sudanese Crisis

“Those who were already dependent on USAID are now in crisis. There’s no food, no medicine. People are dying from cholera and malaria…What are they supposed to do?” asked Lina Ajaak of DC’s South Sudanese Community Association.

Title IV Compromise Leads to Earlier Retirement in Easton

Both cases against Bishop Marray have been dismissed, and he will step down a year earlier than planned, a decision "endorsed" by PB Rowe. 15% of the diocese's congregations will have DEPO for the remainder of his ministry.

Church Joins Suit Challenging ICE Raids

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: “We are seeking the ability to fully gather and follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves.”