West Virginia public employees, including teachers, are facing significant increases in health insurance costs under a new proposal from the Public Employees Insurance Agency PEIA.
After years of frozen costs following the 2018 teacher strike, PEIA is now proposing a 14% hike in premiums, amounting to about $32 more per month for the average state employee. The proposal also includes a 40% rise in deductibles and higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Governor Jim Justice, who previously promised no premium increases under his watch, stated that PEIA is responding to rising prescription drug costs and provider reimbursement needs.
He expressed hope that future governors will prioritize minimizing the financial burden on employees, recommending that continued pay raises be used to offset these increased costs.
However, the West Virginia Education Association, led by President Dale Lee, voiced concerns about the potential impact on the state’s teacher shortage, stating that employees cannot bear the brunt of these rising expenses alone.
Public hearings on the PEIA proposal are scheduled for November, and the state’s gubernatorial candidates, Patrick Morrisey (Republican) and Steve Williams Democrat, have yet to comment on whether they would support continued pay raises to alleviate these financial pressures.