Letter: Insurance cuts a slap in the face

Editor,

WhidbeyHealth recently announced budget cuts, as noted in the South Whidbey Record on Dec. 12.

One of those cuts affected many Whidbey Health retirees. Whidbey dropped their responsibility in PEBB (Public Employees Benefit Board) health and dental insurance administered through the state of Washington.

A letter from the state PEBB received by me on Dec. 6 warned me that I would not have health or dental insurance at the end of the month.

So after working 20 plus years for WGH, without their notifying me, I lose my insurance.

Oh, and Medicare Open Enrollment ended Dec. 7, the day after receiving notice from the state.

So during the busyness of the Christmas holiday, I had to find new insurance for health and dental in three weeks or less.

Cutting the budget is one thing, the way it is done, and how it is handled with retirees who worked hard to make WhidbeyHealth a viable health facility is another.

There should have been a letter from WhidbeyHealth explaining their action, with a lot more time allowed to find new insurance. Lack of this is deplorable. Merry Christmas retirees.

Linda Stafford

Freeland