MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The PEIA Finance Board held its final public hearing Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg.
The meeting was the fifth in a series meant to give members the chance to voice their opinions on the insurance plan ahead of the start of the legislative session.
Finance Board Director Ted Cheatham said the reception at these hearings have been positive.
“I think we’ve gotten some great comments. It’s been great,” said Cheatham. “The difference here is that we got a lot more people which is great. It really is a border county and the people here were talking about border county issues.”
Among the topics discussed were the premiums which are not increasing under the 2019-2020 plan. The 2020-2021 plan would require an increase to maintain benefits.
Many who spoke are concerned about a long-term funding plan and were in favor of the PEIA Task Force’s plan which proposes an 80-20 split for out-of-state locations.
West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee said there are clear difference in the Task Force’s plan and the Governor Jim Justice’s plan.
“We heard tonight the problems where you had to go (out of state). They’re not in a contiguous county. You shouldn’t be penalized because you’re going somewhere to get care that you can’t get in West Virginia.”
The Finance Board will continue discussions on their next move on Thursday
Story by Elias McMillan