State Workers Speak Out About Possible Health Insurance Hike
State Workers Speak Out About Possible Health Insurance Hike Save Email Print
Posted: 11:01 PM Nov 19, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:01 PM Nov 19, 2008
 Reporter: Kallie Cart
Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com
14 comments
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- State workers facing proposed raises on insurance premiums voiced their concerns Wednesday night during a public hearing.

PEIA officials said they can't bear the rising cost of health care, but must raise premiums or cut benefits. As a result, their plan is to increase insurance premiums by 9 percent for current employees and 11 percent for retirees.

PEIA is also proposing raising co-pays from $20 to $30 for out-of-state doctor visits, which unions say would fail teachers in the border counties.

Wednesday's was the fifth public meeting that PEIA has held throughout the state. Officials will consider all the comments before they make a decision on Dec. 4. The last public hearing will be Thursday night in Huntington at Marshall University's medical school.
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Posted by: Karen do you work on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:13 PM
or ride that husbands check? For your information the PEIA premiums are some of the most expensive in the nation. You should do some fact finding before posting up something you obviously have no clue about. Have you had to remortgage your home or take a loan to get a proceedure - it is a common reality for PEIA patrons who have no choice but to suck it up. Those pay raises you keep hearing state employees get they usually work like this for free riding state employees - get an additional 12 dollars a pay period and the insurance raises 30. So once again the bunch of you complaining do you have a clue before you post all this negativity? Do you have any idea how many state workers are forced to work sick because they cannot afford to go get the care they need? Do you have any clue as to how much state workers pay for premiums then are denied the care or medication a physician prescribes because your insurance says you don't need it and play GOD. I feel the answers to my questions is NO!
Posted by: Time for care on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:34 PM
If the employees in private companies don't have health care and the cost to working people continues to go up while services are cut, it is time to care about universal health coverage.
Posted by: Karen on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:04 PM
My husband pays half for premium each month for health care. It is about time state workers pay instead of being given a free ride.
Posted by: anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I think EVERYONE should COMPLAIN about Health and Dental Insurance all over West Virginia and every other STATE! A LOT of people don't have any HEALTH or DENTAL INSURANCE! To RAISE it HIGHER on RETIREES IS NOT RIGHT EITHER! Every AMERICAN, Men,Women,Babies,Tots,Teens should have Health & Dental Care. The people we voted in and others in Washington who don't have to worry about their Health and Dental Care or JOBS has been fixing this for years and years and it ( NEVER ) gets fixed. When ELECTION TIME gets close, this is one of the FIRST things they all ADDRESS to get your VOTE They don't want to FIX IT! THINK ABOUT IT! How many PROMISES Years, after Years after Years,after Years have they been FIXING IT! WORKING & POOR people Young and Old and their FAMILIES pay the PRICE! We ALL NEED and WANT the BEST Health & Dental Care! SPREAD THE WEALTH! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Posted by: william on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:10 PM
i have no insurance where i work so suck it up and stop complaining. At least you have it. I and alot of others like me do not have any insurance at all.
Posted by: working poor on Nov 20, 2008 at 01:15 PM
I have been with the same employer for 3 years. My individual policy cost me $55.00 per week, with a $5000.00 deductible. If I were to add my wife and and two kids it would cost nearly $700.00 per month. If you think your insurance cost are too high, come and walk in my shoes, or better yet. Open the door and step into the real world. Thanksgiving is next week. Be thankful!!!
Posted by: State Worker on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:53 PM
I just want to say that I have worked for the state for several years, and this is asking too much. I pay what I consider to be a substantial amount for insurance already. I maintain the insurance because my husband currently does not have insurance at his place of employment. I think it is time that the policians live up to some of their promises. State worker provide vital services to recipents of State Medicaid and often does not have the benefits that their client's have. I have always felt this is realy wrong, that tax payers are left out and many that simply choose to not work, have benefits. Also their children are to be valued, but ours are too. I say enough is enough!
Posted by: WonderWonder on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:22 AM
To be more accurate the news should state the full amount paid. My insurance went up 40.00 per month and copays do too. 220.00/month. Medicines increased up $30 each.
Posted by: pat on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:24 AM
When so many others have no ins. coverage whatsoever, a sm. increase for these professionals (who by the way, should have been stashing away some rainy day money) should not be acting like children. Life, it seems, can get more ugly than imagined and preparation should be the word of the day.
Posted by: Me on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:01 AM
The health insurance for my family is almost 200 dollars a WEEK...think about that.
Posted by: State employee on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:59 AM
But those self-employed are not making poverty level wages while keeping this state government open and running. This rate increase and benefits cut is absolutely unneeded when we have a budget surplus, spend $17Million on a basement upgrade for a museum @ the capital, and more than $150,000 / year for a man from NC to watch it be remodeled, plus millions on upgrades to the Gov's mansion, to the capital dome, etc. But, as the speaker said lastnight @ the public PEIA hearing, at least we get to see WVU & MU play football, what a governor we have in Manchin folks. State employees and school personnel are needed employees just like any other, they are hard working, but they are the lowest paid public employees in the nation. It used to be worth it to work for the state of WV because the lack of pay was overshadowed by the plus in benefits. Thats not the case anymore folks. There is no pay and no benefits, thanks to Gov Manchin.
Posted by: truth on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:13 AM
when you are paying over $500 a month already a 9% is to much!
Posted by: self employed on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Give me a break!! I say stop the whining and suck it up, alot of working people and self employed have NO INSURANCE and would be more than happy to pay a couple of dollars "co pay" good grief!
Posted by: Stop whining on Nov 19, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Stop whining, be thankful you have some sort of coverage.
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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