CHARLESTON, W.Va.
West Virginia's hospitals are concerned about Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's legislation for tackling public retiree health care costs.



The concerns arise from cost-cutting steps proposed by the Public Employees Insurance Agency. Tomblin included a dozen of these steps in his pending bill that targets the $5 billion projected shortfall from retiree health coverage. This is also known as other post-employment benefits, or OPEB.

PEIA wants to reduce excessive emergency room visits and hospital re-admissions. It also proposes limiting or ending coverage for infections acquired in a hospital.

State Hospital Association President Joseph Letnaunchyn said those steps may be too stringent. He told the House Finance Committee on Friday that upcoming federal standards will address these topics.

The committee advanced the bill to the full House by a non-unanimous voice vote.

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