Union workers in the city of Huntington will see changes to their health insurance starting July 1. Both premiums and deductibles are more expensive, but there are ways they can offset the increase.

“One could look at it as a pay cut, one we're all taking I'll have to deal with,” Huntington Mayor David Felinton said.

Felinton announced the new insurance plan for the city's union workers Wednesday afternoon. The mayor said the city can no longer afford the current health care plan.

Currently, a single employee's premium is $12 a month. Under the new plan he or she will pay $73.

For a family that currently pays $25, that will increase to $153, but city employees can offset that increase by taking better care of themselves. Mayor Felinton says quit smoking or take advantage of reduced rates available now for city employees at the YMCA.

Felinton says the city will also have health education opportunities throughout the year.

City councilman Jim Ritter says he'd like to see other plans discussed.

“It's like a pay cut,” Ritter said. “Larger with deductibility. Look at others and see what they offer.”

Felinton says there is a $1,000 reimbursement plan for types of care the plan doesn't offer that doubles for family plans, and there's a cash bonus of $1,250 if employees opt out of the plan. That number also doubles for those on family plans.

A police officer who didn't want his name used says the department has known about this plan for two months and has discussed it many times. He says the fraternal order of police will probably have their own press conference soon to state their concerns.

Original Story
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Union workers in the City of Huntington will see changes to their health insurance starting July 1 -- regardless of whether they agree to a new contract.