Tuesday, in the last days of his administration, Gov. John deJongh Jr. submitted government retiree’s insurance plan for 2015 to the Legislature for approval.
The document is the “First Renewal of Agreement” for medical health insurance with UnitedHealth Care Insurance Company, as negotiated by the Government Employees Health Insurance Board of Trustees for the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and the University of the Virgin Islands. It will allow for coverage to continue for all eligible retirees.
“I am making this submission to ensure that all eligible retiree enrollees and their dependents are adequately covered under the renewal provision as allowed in the original agreement for medical health insurance approved by the 30th Legislature in Act 7561,” deJongh said in a statement issued Wednesday by Government House.
The first renewal, once ratified, will be effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2015.
This renews the insurance plan with UHC, which took over coverage from Cigna last year.
DeJongh urged quick action saying "We thank the members of the 30th Legislature for the prompt handling of this matter to ensure continued insurance coverage for our retirees.”
Must be nice to have affordable insurance.
The Virgin Islands Government needs to do the same thing for its private sector to bring in companies that offer affordable insurance to individuals that don’t work for the government or companies that offer health insurance.
By opting out of “Obamacare,” Governor DeJongh has left many people without the ability to be eligible for any health insurance, at all, much less, anything remotely affordable. Thanks a lot!