WV'S PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WILL NO LONGER HAVE HEALTH BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT AFTER 2010

(05/15/2009)
With the crunch of providing health insurance continuing, WV's public employees insurer PEIA announced this week they will no longer provide retirement health benefits to teachers and public employees hired after Jan. 1, 2010.

Meanwhile, the cost of coverage for most state employees just went up 12%, with further increases pending.

The Calhoun Commission is currently facing at least a $32,000 shortfall for next year in providing health insurance for the rather small number of county employees.

The problem is related to a future debt calculated at $6 billion, growing by about $790 million a year.

"The governor through his PEIA finance board has just eliminated health-insurance benefits for all future retired teachers... It is reprehensible," said union president Judy Hale.