CHARLESTON, W.Va. — House of Delegates Speaker Tim Armstead says he doesn’t blame state workers for being upset with proposed increases in health insurance costs but there’s no easy fix.
Armstead (R-Kanawha) was a guest Thursday morning on MetroNews “Talkline.”
The proposed $120 million cuts in PEIA coverage, which includes raising deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for active workers and retirees, has drawn large crowds at PEIA hearings across the state during the past two weeks. Many state workers at those meetings are blaming the state legislature for not providing more funding to PEIA.
Armstead said it’s not that easy. He said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin hasn’t proposed increased funding in his past budgets and he’s already announced there will be no additional funding in the next state budget.
“Even if the legislature were to go ahead and put additional money in…if the governor does not agree with that and doesn’t buy into that, he has the ability to line-item veto anything out,” Armstead said.
Given the state’s current financial situation, finding additional money will be difficult, Armstead said.
“No one should pretend otherwise,” Armstead said.
The state faces other funding issues like fixing roads and money for essential programs.
“I think everyone needs to understand—it’s a problem that needs to be in the context of the overall broader budget picture and it’s not going to be an easy solution,” Armstead.
Some have suggested a tax increase to raise additional money to cover the additional costs of PEIA. Armstead said that would come from the pockets of other state residents, which would also be difficult.
Armstead said he currently does not support an increase in the cigarette tax.