Associated Press Published

Agency to Hold More Hearings on Public Employee Benefit Cuts

PEIA.jpg

The West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency will hold three public hearings this week on proposed cuts to state employees’ health benefits.

The first hearing is set for Monday at West Virginia Northern Community College’s B&O Building in downtown Wheeling. Another hearing will be held Tuesday at the Charleston Civic Center. The third hearing is scheduled Thursday at Tamarack in Beckley.

Each hearing will begin at 6 p.m.

Under a plan approved by the PEIA’s finance board, premiums wouldn’t increase for state and public school employees, who comprise the majority of enrollees. But their deductibles would increase by $500 for single coverage and $1,000 for family coverage.

Retirees would see an 8 percent increase in premiums. Non-state employees would see a 3 percent premium increase.