Denver Public Schools Reverses Decision to Drop Kaiser Permanente Health Benefits

After employee outcry, DPS board votes to extend agreement with Kaiser Permanente for another year

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Denver Public Schools (DPS) board has voted to extend its 53-year health care agreement with Kaiser Permanente for another year, reversing an initial decision to drop the provider. The move comes after DPS employees flooded the board with concerns about losing established relationships with their doctors, particularly those undergoing ongoing treatment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing challenges school districts face in balancing healthcare costs with providing quality benefits to employees. The strong response from DPS staff demonstrates the power of collective action in influencing such decisions, which can have significant impacts on the lives of teachers and staff.

The details

DPS initially cited 'general quality and cost' as the reasons for considering a change from Kaiser Permanente. However, the process was criticized for a lack of transparency, with one staff member stating that 'DPS chose a process lacking transparency and integrity, leaving employees feeling unsupported and unheard.' Kaiser Permanente argued that its renewal proposal was competitive and would have saved the district money, while DPS maintained that choosing Kaiser would have tripled healthcare costs for employees. The Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) also pointed fingers at the district's insurance consultant, Moreton, alleging years of underbudgeting and inaccurate cost projections.

  • On February 21, 2026, the DPS board voted to extend its health care agreement with Kaiser Permanente for another year.
  • The initial announcement from DPS that it was considering dropping Kaiser Permanente sparked concerns from employees.

The players

Denver Public Schools (DPS)

The public school district serving the city of Denver, Colorado.

Kaiser Permanente

An American integrated managed care consortium, based in Oakland, California, that provides health insurance and health care services.

Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA)

The labor union representing teachers and other licensed personnel employed by the Denver Public Schools.

Moreton

The insurance consultant hired by DPS, which the DCTA alleged has provided years of underbudgeting and inaccurate cost projections.

Mike Ramseier

The president of Kaiser Permanente, who addressed the DPS board regarding the proposed change.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The one-year extension provides a temporary reprieve, but the underlying issues remain. DPS will restart the bidding process for health insurance contracts, suggesting the possibility of another attempt to move away from Kaiser Permanente in the future.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing trend in the public sector of balancing healthcare cost containment with the need to provide quality benefits to employees. The strong response from DPS staff demonstrates the power of collective action in influencing such decisions, which can have significant impacts on the lives of teachers and staff.