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WV Task Force OKs Public Employee Insurance Proposal
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A task force has approved a recommendation from Gov. Jim Justice to use $100 million in state funding to stabilize a health insurance program for West Virginia public employees until long-term funding solutions can be found.
The Public Employees Insurance Agency task force made the approval Monday in Charleston. It now goes to the full Legislature.
A proposal that would have given employees in counties bordering other states greater flexibility for health care access was changed to in-network providers regardless of location at a 20 percent cost to employees.
The task force scheduled another meeting next month to discuss premiums, telemedicine, prescription drugs and PEIA program structural changes.
The task force was formed after a statewide teacher strike last winter. Teachers also were given a 5 percent pay increase.