Gov. John deJongh Jr. submitted to the 30th Legislature the health insurance contract for government employees, retirees and their dependents Monday, hours after having received them from the Health Insurance Board of Trustees.
But deJongh’s submission [Health Insurance Submission] came with his objection to a $6.24 million increase in the cost of the government’s portion of the health insurance premiums and, as a result, he transmitted the contracts without his signature, according to a news release from Government House.
“Consistent with correspondence dated August 11, 2014, August 14, 2014, and September 15, 2014, together with the lack of an identified funding mechanism to cover the anticipated $6.24 million increase in the government’s portion (65 percent) of the insurance premiums, I am unable to sign and approve these agreements,” deJongh said.
The governor said if the Senate can identify and appropriate the increased funding and approve the agreements, he will sign the renewal agreements to provide health insurance coverage to more than 7,000 Virgin Islanders.
DeJongh also took exception to board’s vote earlier Monday not to accept an extension offered by CIGNA beyond the Sept. 30 expiration date of the existing contract.
“The board’s position is not a recognition or acceptance of the financial challenges that we face as a government," he said, later adding, "There is no ignoring that the board’s handling of this matter has unnecessarily put all of us at risk."
DeJongh noted that while he has received the health insurance package from the Health Insurance board, his office “has not yet received any renewal” relative to the agreement for group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
