Workers union wants state benefits chief to resign

CARSON CITY -- A state workers union is calling for the director of Nevada's Public Employee Benefits Program to step down.

Active and retired public workers are upset over the recommendation last year by executive director Jim Wells to raise insurance premiums and deductibles.

Wells said at the time that the program faced an $80 million shortfall, and his recommendations were adopted by the board that oversees state benefits.

Workers cited a report that showed the program had excess reserves of nearly $47 million in December, and they say the program is being mismanaged.

Program officials project the amount of reserves will be substantially less by the end of the year as more claims are processed.

During a board meeting Wednesday, a union spokesman also asked that the surplus be used to reduce employees' out-of-pocket costs.

The meeting was continued until March 29.