In the heart of Appalachia, teachers, service personnel and other public employees tackle growing challenges in the work we do each day. While our mission is fulfilling, it can be incredibly draining and stressful. West Virginia public employees face a challenge that becomes more urgent each day: the need to stabilize the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). The state-administered health insurance plan is vital for teachers and school service personnel like us, along with state troopers and other public employees who dedicate their lives to serving our communities.
Proposed changes from PEIA for the upcoming year are:
A 14% increase in premiums for active employees, and 12% for retirees;
A 40% increase in deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for employees and non-Medicare retirees;
An expected increase in the spousal surcharge from $147 to $350; and
Other increases in copays òòò½ÊÓƵ” including therapy, ER, inpatient/outpatient and pharmacy charges
For years, PEIA has struggled with rising costs and a lack of stability, putting immense pressure on our public employees. The recent proposed increases in premiums and other employee costs highlight urgent need for reform and stability. For many families and retirees, the increased costs are simply unaffordable.
Rising health care costs and a lack of funding dependability have contributed to instability. The Legislature must identify and earmark dedicated revenue to provide a long-term funding answer. Our stateòòò½ÊÓƵ™s elected leaders have been touting a budget surplus; itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s time for them to redirect money to PEIA and fulfill the promise of good benefits for public employees.
Our state has been experiencing a severe shortage of teachers and service personnel for years and it will only get worse if health insurance is not addressed. A strong and stable health insurance benefit can help West Virginia become a more attractive place for educators and other public employees to live and work.
The time for action is now! òòò½ÊÓƵ leaders of our local educator unions, we are standing together to fight for our colleagues and families on this issue. Now we need our communities to join us to demand our legislators stabilize PEIA. Please take the opportunity to show your commitment to your neighbors òòò½ÊÓƵ” teachers, bus drivers, police and others who have dedicated their lives to making our communities better òòò½ÊÓƵ” by contacting your legislators and asking them to prioritize financial stability with PEIA.
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