Doug Unger advocates for AB 188 to restore retiree health care subsidies in Nevada
May 22, 2025 | Public Employees Benefits Program Board Meeting, Executive Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Nevada
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In a pivotal meeting on May 22, 2025, the Nevada Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP) Board gathered to discuss critical legislative updates that could significantly impact state employees and retirees. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as Doug Unger, acting president of the UNLV chapter of the Nevada Faculty Alliance, voiced strong support for Assembly Bill 188. This bill aims to restore health care subsidies for retirees hired after 2011, a move that Unger argued is essential for retaining younger state workers and ensuring a stable future for Nevada's workforce.
Unger emphasized that the projected fiscal implications of AB 188, estimated at over a billion dollars, were exaggerated. He called for a detailed breakdown of these costs, asserting that the bill would not lead to a mass exodus of state workers, as many retirees already receive similar benefits. His plea highlighted a broader concern among public employee advocates about the financial well-being of state workers and the need for fair compensation.
The meeting also addressed Senate Bill 494, which proposes a reorganization of PEBP under the new Nevada Health Authority. Unger and other speakers expressed apprehension that the bill, in its current form, could strip the PEBP Board of its independence and authority. They pointed out that the proposed changes could lead to a complete overhaul of the board's composition, replacing current members with new appointees by July 1. This potential shift raised alarms about the future of self-funded health plans that many employees rely on.
Terrillaird, Executive Director of the Retired Public Employees of Nevada, echoed these sentiments, advocating for the restoration of benefits lost in 2011 and questioning the hefty fiscal notes associated with the proposed legislation. He expressed disappointment over the legislature's failure to approve a modest increase in health reimbursement accounts for Medicare retirees, a change that many had hoped would provide much-needed relief.
As the meeting concluded, the urgency for amendments to SB 494 was palpable. Both Unger and Laird stressed the importance of ensuring that any legislative changes prioritize the well-being of public employees and retirees. With the legislative session drawing to a close, the future of these critical benefits hangs in the balance, leaving many to wonder what the next steps will be for Nevada's public workforce.
Unger emphasized that the projected fiscal implications of AB 188, estimated at over a billion dollars, were exaggerated. He called for a detailed breakdown of these costs, asserting that the bill would not lead to a mass exodus of state workers, as many retirees already receive similar benefits. His plea highlighted a broader concern among public employee advocates about the financial well-being of state workers and the need for fair compensation.
The meeting also addressed Senate Bill 494, which proposes a reorganization of PEBP under the new Nevada Health Authority. Unger and other speakers expressed apprehension that the bill, in its current form, could strip the PEBP Board of its independence and authority. They pointed out that the proposed changes could lead to a complete overhaul of the board's composition, replacing current members with new appointees by July 1. This potential shift raised alarms about the future of self-funded health plans that many employees rely on.
Terrillaird, Executive Director of the Retired Public Employees of Nevada, echoed these sentiments, advocating for the restoration of benefits lost in 2011 and questioning the hefty fiscal notes associated with the proposed legislation. He expressed disappointment over the legislature's failure to approve a modest increase in health reimbursement accounts for Medicare retirees, a change that many had hoped would provide much-needed relief.
As the meeting concluded, the urgency for amendments to SB 494 was palpable. Both Unger and Laird stressed the importance of ensuring that any legislative changes prioritize the well-being of public employees and retirees. With the legislative session drawing to a close, the future of these critical benefits hangs in the balance, leaving many to wonder what the next steps will be for Nevada's public workforce.
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