INSURANCE COSTS OUT PACE WV'S STAGNANT WAGES

(11/13/2007)

While most West Virginia workers who live in rural counties drive great distances to work and are worried about $3 plus gasoline prices, there is another big concern. West Virginia wage earners are facing an uphill battle with ever rising insurance costs. A new survey of health care plans offered by West Virginia employers suggests insurance costs are rising faster than wages. The survey was completed by Charleston-based Commercial Insurance Services says the trend will continue. The state's PEIA (public employee insurance) is predicting a major increase by 2009. Plan costs rose 9 percent from 2006 to 2007. The survey found insurance companies expect another increase ranging from 6 percent to 10 percent in 2008. Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers show the median wage increase in West Virginia was 0.6 percent from 2006 to 2007.

Hur Herald ®from Sunny Cal The information on these pages, to the extent the law allows, remains the exclusive property of Bob Weaver and Dianne Weaver The Hur Herald. All information may be freely used but must not be sold or used in any type of commercial endeavor, or used on any web site without the express permission of the owners ©Bob and Dianne Weaver, The Hur Herald, 1999, 2000, 2001