Health Plans Could Be Impacted By Budget Woes

West Virginia is revisiting the idea of larger cuts to state employee and retiree health plans as a state budget stalemate drags on. West Virginia’s Public Employee Insurance Agency Finance Board met yesterday to discuss options amid a budget fight that has seen funding options for health plans die, including a higher tax on tobacco products and e-cigarettes. In December, the board approved plans to cut $120 million from health plans, which would affect state employees, teachers and retirees. They would affect the 2017 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The Republican-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin have not yet reached a budget agreement. The House of Delegates has resisted tax increases, including the tobacco tax. Open enrollment for members is April 2 to May 15.