Latest news with #HouseBill2623
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Planned PEIA rate increases elicit concern from lawmakers and policyholders
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – Hundreds of thousands of West Virginians with PEIA coverage are set to see rate increases in the coming months. With increases of up to 16% in premiums expected to impact certain West Virginia residents as early as July according to PEIA, members of the general public along with state lawmakers have voiced concerns regarding the coverage provider. While many say a change is in order, no one can seem to agree on how to appropriately address financial concerns associated with the program. 'We keep doing things that they tell us is going to fix the problem and then it ends up not fixing the problem,' Delegate Eric Brooks told 59News. 'We'll see what the options are when we get back down there. I think the governor is really pushing for a Special Session to deal with this before January when we have our next legislative session.' A bill introduced during the most recent session of the West Virginia Legislature – House Bill 2623 – would abolish PEIA altogether, though some detractors have characterized the legislation as reckless. The bill was under consideration by the House Committee on Health and Human Resources at the time the most recent legislative session was brought to a close. Governor Patrick Morrisey told 59News he has been working with the legislature to address issues with PEIA, citing an overall need for fiscal responsibility on the state level. 'We have a lot of tough challenges ahead. I've mentioned that we have PEIA that'll be coming up in the upcoming months,' said Morrisey. 'We've been diligently working on that and are starting to have conversations with the legislature. We want to get that right because we have to make sure that we help West Virginia reach her potential.' Several delegates have said they expect to be called in for a session to address PEIA specifically, and the governor says he hopes to address the issue in the coming months, though an official call for a Special Session of the legislature has yet to be made at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
House bill would end PEIA insurance for WV police, firefighters and teachers
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — A proposed bill in the West Virginia House of Delegates would abolish the state's PEIA insurance program for police officers, firefighters, teachers and other state employees in favor of healthcare contracts. House Bill 2623, which was introduced to the West Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday, would repeal §5-16-1 through §5-16-32, the entirety of the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) program. In its place, the amendment says insurance for state employees will be 'provided by contract,' which will be renewed or reviewed every four years. Charles R. Sheedy Sr. (R – Marshall, 007) is the lead sponsor of the bill and is joined by three other delegates, one of which is in north central West Virginia. Elias Coop-Gonzalez (R – Randolph, 067) Chuck Horst (R – Berkeley, 095) Dave Foggin (R – Wood, 014) 12 News asked Delegate Sheedy and the other representatives listed on the bill for clarification on what these contracts may contain and was provided with the following statement: 'Current PEIA will be abolished under this bill and be replaced by 'similar or better health care coverage and include eye and dental at no additional cost' in a four-year contract,' Sheedy wrote in an email. 'This will be all state employees and retirees to gain a very large bargaining [tool] with which to obtain a lower cost. This will also allow budgeting for the state, employees and retirees.' Bill to remove abortion exemptions for rape, incest introduced for second time in West Virginia legislative session The selection criteria for health contracts or who will be in charge of selecting and negotiating health contracts on behalf of state employees is unknown at this time. 12 News did ask Sheedy for additional details but has not received a response at the time of publishing this article. You can read the full bill below, or read the amendment online on the West Virginia Legislature's website. hb2623-intrDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
