Denver School Board Extends Current Health Care Contract

Teachers' union praises decision to maintain continuity of care for staff

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Denver School Board voted 6-1 to extend the district's current health care contract with Kaiser Permanente, United HealthCare, and MotivHealth, rather than switching providers. This decision comes after concerns from teachers and staff about potentially losing their doctors if the district ended its 52-year relationship with Kaiser.

Why it matters

Maintaining continuity of health care coverage is important for teachers and staff, allowing them to keep their existing doctors and avoid disruptions to their medical care. The teachers' union had advocated for the board to listen to their concerns about the potential impact of switching providers.

The details

The Denver Classroom Teachers Association had called on the school board to extend the current health care contract rather than move forward with a plan to switch providers. Some teachers and staff were worried about losing their doctors if DPS ended its long-standing relationship with Kaiser Permanente. The board ultimately voted 6-1 to keep the existing contract with Kaiser, United HealthCare, and MotivHealth, though the issue will be revisited again in the fall.

  • The Denver School Board voted on February 21, 2026 to extend the current health care contract.
  • DPS has had a 52-year relationship with Kaiser Permanente.

The players

Denver Classroom Teachers Association

The teachers' union that advocated for the school board to extend the current health care contract.

Denver School Board

The governing body of Denver Public Schools that voted 6-1 to extend the district's current health care contract.

Kaiser Permanente

One of the health care providers that is part of DPS's current contract, which the district has had a 52-year relationship with.

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What’s next

The issue of DPS's health care contract will be revisited again by the school board in the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

This decision by the Denver School Board demonstrates the importance of maintaining continuity of health care coverage for teachers and staff, and the influence that the teachers' union can have in advocating for policies that support their members.