All employees who are members of the Government’s Group Health Insurance plan are reminded that elections will be held for government employee representatives to the GESC/Health Insurance Board from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 13, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 14, within the individual departments and agencies. This provision requires one employee from the district of St. Thomas-St. John and one from the district of St. Croix to be democratically chosen by other government employees who are members of the group insurance plan to serve as a GESC Board member, according to a press release issued Monday by the Division of Personnel.
Director Kenneth L. Hermon Jr. said, “This is a great opportunity for employees to have a voice in the health insurance plan development process.” He noted that the GESC Board is empowered to adopt rules and regulations relating to the eligibility of active and retired employees of the government of the United States Virgin Islands to participate in the health insurance plan authorized by this subchapter — as well as the terms and conditions of the insurance contract or contracts. He also explained that the GESC Board can take action regarding the purchase of such insurance contract or contracts and the administration of the health insurance plan, and may contract with a third party administrator to administer a self-funded health insurance plan.
Nominees for the ballot will consist of representation from the Central Labor Council, semiautonomous agencies, unclassified and classified employees, employees under the General Schedule (GS), the Legislature, Superior Court and the Supreme Court. Requests for nominees have already been made of the Central Labor Council and semiautonomous agencies.
Any other employee interested in serving as a member of the GESC Board, may submit a “GESC Board Member Candidate Form” to either of the division’s offices located in the GERS Building at 3438 Kronprindsens Gade, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or on St. Croix to 3009 Orange Grove, Suite 6, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00802. A copy of the form may be downloaded from the division’s Web site “Forms” page, or picked up from the division’s offices. The deadline to submit the GESC Candidate forms back to the division is on or before Friday, Nov. 16.
For additional information, contact Michael Trotman or Lisa Antal at 774-8588 or 718-8588.