This week, in author Willie Carver, Jr.’s new book, he reconsiders a negative childhood experience with a neighborhood girl who might have just been looking for a friend. Also, a southwestern Virginia community rang the alarm after more and more of its children were diagnosed with cancer. A local journalist is trying to unravel the cause. And, the city of Asheville has a new crusading reporter. He’s a puppet.
By holding premiums flat from 2018 to 2022, PEIA didn’t keep up with rising costs. Former Gov. Jim Justice pledged there would be no rate increases “on his watch.”Thew/Adobe Stock
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Health insurance premiums for public employees will rise about 3% if a proposal before the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) Finance Board is approved.
The proposal would also increase the amount of money employees have to pay to insure a spouse by an average of $200.
All of the increases would take effect next July 1.
By holding premiums flat from 2018 to 2022, PEIA didn’t keep up with rising costs. Former Gov. Jim Justice pledged there would be no rate increases “on his watch.”
Since then, rates have gone up considerably. For the current fiscal year, employees faced a 14% premium increase. Previous increases were offset by pay raises, but state employees did not receive one this year.
If the board’s five year plan is approved, premiums will increase 33.7% by 2030.
If the proposal is approved:
Plan A will be named PPB Gold
Plan B will be named PPB Silver
Plan C will be named Gold High Deductible Plan
Plan D will be named WV Bronze High Deductible Plan
Plan D will be converted into a lower cost plan. Premiums will decrease 34% and instead of a 80-20 plan it will drop to a 75-25 plan. The deductible will also increase by 425%.
Holiday Inn Martinsburg301 Foxcroft AvenueMartinsburg, WV 25401
5:30-6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Thursday Nov. 13
Charleston
Charleston Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd ECharleston, WV 25305
5:30-6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Monday Nov. 17
Morgantown
Mountainlair Student Union – Gold Ballroom1550 University AvenueMorgantown, WV 26506
5:30-6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Thursday Nov. 20
Virtual
Virtual Public Hearing – Join from a computer or smartphone to see/hear the presentation or dial in to hear the discussion. Meeting Link:meet.google.com/nhs-ekrf-auu Phone Number:(US) 1 415-855-1270 PIN: 449 094 813#The presentation will begin promptly at 6 p.m.
n/a
6 pm
In-person location schedule:
5:30-6 p.m. Hearing registration. Everyone attending the meeting must sign in and indicate if they wish to speak.
6 p.m.Public hearing. The proposals will be presented and audience comments will be recognized by the board.
If you can’t attend a hearing in person, please submit comments to the Finance Board in writing to: 601 57th St., SE, Suite 2, Charleston, WV 25304-2345, or via email to: PEIAComments@wv.gov.
On this West Virginia Week, the air around the site of a chemical leak near Institute is determined safe, the state reaches a settlement with Roblox, and Charleston photographer Perry Bennett represents Team USA in Iceland.
The Wolf Summit Energy Project will be the first combined cycle power plant in West Virginia, producing 600-megawatts to be sold to Old Dominion Energy.
