Associated Press Published

PEIA Sets Hearings on Proposed Benefits Cuts

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The West Virginia state employee and retiree insurance program is asking the public to weigh in on cuts in benefits it proposed earlier in October.

The Public Employees Insurance Agency said it plans to cut benefits by nearly $83 million for active employees and about $41 million for retirees, primarily through sharply higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.

The plan for 2016-’17 also would increase premiums by 8 percent for retirees and 3 percent for non-state public workers.

According to a PEIA news release, six public hearings have been scheduled around the state about the proposed changes. Each hearing begins at 6 p.m., with registration open an hour before. You must register to speak.

Hearings will be held:

Monday, Nov. 2, 2015 – Morgantown
Ramada Inn – Grand Ballroom
20 Scott Avenue, Morgantown, WV

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 – Martinsburg
Holiday Inn – Foxcroft Ballroom
301 Foxcroft Avenue, Martinsburg, WV

Monday, Nov. 9, 2015 – Wheeling
WV Northern Community College – Auditorium
1704 Market Street, Wheeling, WV

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 – Charleston
Charleston Civic Center – Little Theater
200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 – Beckley
Tamarack – Ballroom A
One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 – Huntington
Marshall Medical School – Harless Auditorium
1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV

If you can’t attend a hearing in person, you can submit comments in writing to PEIA, 601 57th St., SE, Suite 2, Charleston, WV 25304-2345 or by e-mail to PEIA.Help@wv.gov.

You can also complete an on-line survey, which will be available at www.wvpeia.com by the end of October.