NEWS9 Special Assignment: What is the future of WV PEIA? скачать в хорошем качестве

NEWS9 Special Assignment: What is the future of WV PEIA?

As health insurance costs continue to rise, public employees and retirees across West Virginia are watching the state’s Public Employees Insurance Agency as lawmakers consider whether the program can be stabilized for the long term. In December 2025, after the PEIA Finance Board traveled across the state to hear input from public employees and retirees who use the insurance, a 3% deductible increase was approved and a $200 increase in the spousal surcharge. The spousal surcharge has drawn public criticism and debate for years, with opponents saying it can make coverage unaffordable. “That spousal surcharge is a flat fee, so it doesn't matter if you're an administrator making $80,000, it's $550, and if you're a custodian making $35,000, it's $550,” said Tim Triveri, a teacher at Wheeling Park High School and co-president of the Ohio County Education Association. Triveri said that even with a raise, PEIA funding has to be used to help cover rising premiums. “That's really what we are asking for and what we are trying to get is some kind of cost control, to get true raises, not only for active employees but to get a cost of living increase for our retirees because they are on fixed incomes, so every time their premiums go up, copays, deductibles, all of these things, they are really being hurt by these increases,” Triveri said. West Virginia is now in legislative session, with the approved PEIA increases set to take effect July 1, 2026. Del. Jeff Stephens, a PEIA user, said lawmakers are looking for ideas to control costs, but he does not expect the rates approved in December to change. “On the PEIA side, I don't see much changing. Funding could change, that can always change. And a raise for public employees, that can always change in session as well, but with the rates and everything with PEIA, I don't see those changing,” Stephens said. FULL STORY: https://wtov9.com/news/news-9-special... _______________ Follow WTOV NEWS 9 on social media: WTOV NEWS 9 News on Facebook:   / wtov9   WTOV NEWS 9 on Twitter:   / wtov9   Subscribe to WTOV NEWS 9 on YouTube:    / @wtovnews9931   For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit https://wtov9.com/ Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wtov9.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: newsdesk@wtov.com Call the Newsroom: 740.282.9999 WTOV is an OH based station and a NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates. #WTOV #WTOV News 9 #WTOV NEWS 9 #Steubenville News #localnews