CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia officials will hold four public hearings around the state later this month before deciding the future for public retiree health benefits.

The finance board of the Public Employees Insurance Agency voted earlier to stop subsidizing retirement premiums with future public hires.

It also decided to transfer current retirees back into the agency's main program, if it can't continue its Medicare Advantage plan.

An outcry over ending the subsidies prompted the board to meet Thursday and amend both moves. It now won't act on either until after the public hearings.

Those are tentatively set for June 22 in Beckley, June 23 in Martinsburg, June 29 in Charleston and June 30 in Wheeling.

Governor Joe Manchin issued the following statement after the meeting today.

“West Virginia’s OPEB liability is something that is going to affect our children and grandchildren, and it’s important for the public to know and understand it,” Governor Joe Manchin said. “I applaud the PEIA Finance Board for its responsible decision today as they continue to look out for the best nterests of our retirees and current employees, as well as taxpayers.”

The board's next meeting is July 30.

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