CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Two differing opinions were given to the PEIA bill passed by the State Senate Saturday. Governor Jim Justice knows changes needed to be made to the program, but AFL-CIO President Josh Sword said he’s not happy to see it appears premium costs will go up for public employees.
Governor Jim Justice told MetroNews Talkline Monday the trade of premiums going up is being offset by pay raises.
“I think that trade gets us back to net neutral,” the Governor said. “Everybody knows that PEIA needs a permanent, ongoing fix.”
Justice had previously stated he would make sure premiums did not go up, but on Monday said in today’s world it’s hard for such things to stay constant.
“You got to work with the Senate and you got to work with the House,” Justice said. “What I try to do is come up with a method to where people aren’t paying more out-of-pocket money.”
Sword also spoke Monday to MetroNews Talkline, claiming he knows the increase will be at least 26%.
“$500 million worth of benefits for 230,000 planned participants, that are now going to have to cover that benefit themselves,” said Sword.
He also said lawmakers aren’t being entirely transparent with the “real numbers” in PEIA. Sword then brought up what some families have experience over the last decade.
“The deductible has gone up $450 for families in PEIA,” Sword said. “The out-of-pocket max has increased by $2,400 and even $3,000 for some families.”
The 56-page PEIA bill is a plan claimed by most Senators as necessary for preserving the future of the insurance program for public employees. Senators did say costs for those insured will likely go up, but also that $2,300 pay raises given out to the employees would neutralize the rising costs.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo claimed the bill would result in around $76 million in savings for the state in it’s first year and much more in the years after.
Lawmakers and union leaders made their points known during the Senate floor session Saturday in regards to the PEIA bill. The House of Delegates will look at the bill next.