Governor Jim Justice, whose family owns The Greenbrier, recently made a promise to employees at the resort that they will not go without health insurance. This statement came in response to concerns raised about delinquent contributions to the Amalgamated National Health Fund, which put employees‘ coverage at risk. Despite the governor’s assurance, lawyers representing the Health Fund confirmed that the delinquent payments are still outstanding, totaling millions of dollars.
The Health Fund stated that The Greenbrier Hotel Corporation fell behind on payments, owing $2.4 million in health premium contributions with an additional $1.2 million soon due. The situation has put employees‘ health care benefits in jeopardy, as the insurance company alleges that premiums collected from employees were not remitted. This has left employees in a vulnerable position, with their coverage at risk due to the negligence of the hotel’s owners.
In response to these developments, Governor Justice addressed the insurance matter during a press briefing, emphasizing his family’s history of financial involvement at The Greenbrier. He reassured employees that their health insurance would not be compromised and vowed to ensure that they are taken care of. However, questions remain about how the Justices acquired funding support to reach an agreement with a credit collection company to hold off a foreclosure sale of key resort assets.
State Senate Finance Chairman Eric Tarr expressed concern over the health insurance issue, highlighting the importance of passing on employee contributions to the insurance company. He criticized the governor’s handling of the situation, stating that it is disheartening to see such negligence from the state’s leader. The state Democratic Party also called for Justice to abandon his U.S. Senate bid over the health insurance problem, citing the potential impact on hundreds of workers and their families.
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, a Democratic candidate for governor, called for an investigation into any potential fraud or corruption in Justice’s business practices. He pointed to additional financial problems, such as liens on sales taxes collected but not remitted to the state Tax Department. Williams emphasized the need to uphold the law and public trust in light of these revelations.
In response to inquiries about Justice’s debts, the Attorney General’s office stated that they have limited authority to independently investigate such matters. They noted that their jurisdiction is narrow and dependent on delegation from other state agencies or officials. This raises questions about the oversight and accountability mechanisms in place to address issues like delinquent payments and financial mismanagement.
Overall, the situation at The Greenbrier highlights the challenges faced by employees when their health insurance coverage is jeopardized due to financial mismanagement. It underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and timely action to protect workers‘ rights and well-being. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to ensure that employees are not left in the lurch and that steps are taken to address the underlying issues affecting their health insurance coverage.