Report calls Medicaid expansion “a shot in the arm for West Virginia.”
Expanding Medicaid to cover more parents would be a boost to both the health and economy of West Virginia, according to a report released this week by Families USA, in conjunction with West Virginians for Affordable Health Care and the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. Read
“Roadmap to Health” project presents recommendations to Legislature
Last year, the West Virginia Legislature hired health policy expert Ken Thorpe, Ph.D., to advise the Legislature on health care reform. Dr. Thorpe presented his recommendations to Select Committee D of the Joint Committee on Health and Human Resources. Read
Medicaid Calculator
Want to know the economic value of Medicaid in West Virginia? Families USA has created a Medicaid Calculator for all states showing how increases or decreases in Medicaid spending will impact overall economic activity, number of jobs and wages. Go to the site, click on West Virginia and try it out.
Health Care
State health programs cut in Governor's proposed budget
February 4, 2010 -- While the Recovery Act continues to bolster Medicaid funding, other health programs fared less well in the Governor's budget. According to a new brief by the Center on Budget and Policy, several small programs (including the WV Center for End of Life) were zeroed out, while others (including the Tobacco Education Program) received substantial cuts. Read
The Health Express, Issue 4: Expanding Medicaid Under Health Reform
December 2, 2009 -- The health reform bill passed by the House of Representatives would expand Medicaid to 150 percent of the the federal poverty level, cover more than 100,000 West Virginians who are currently uninsured, and bring in an additional $400-$500 million per year in federal funds. Find out more in this month's Health Express. | Read
The Health Express, Issue 3: Comparing Health Care Reform Bills
October 6, 2009 -- Two different bills are emerging from Congress to reform America’s health care system. The House and Senate agree that virtually all Americans will be required to have health insurance coverage and that subsidies will be provided to help make plans affordable. There are significant differences, however, in the details, which are summed up in this issue of The Health Express. | Read
CHIP reauthorization provides opportunities to expand coverage
September 15, 2009 -- When Congress reauthorized the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in February, it provided increased funding and more flexibility to states to insure additional children. A new policy brief outlines how West Virginia can take advantage of the new provisions. | Read
The Health Express, Issue 2: Sense and Nonsense
August 24, 2009 -- Healthy debate is essential to America’s policymaking process. The democratic process can be hijacked, however, by misinformation and unfounded claims. This issue of The Health Express sorts out the sense from the nonsense so that citizens can make sound judgments about the proposed health reforms. | Read
Financing Health Reform Without Burdening Working Families
July 20, 2009 -- With health care reform estimated to cost around $1 trillion over the next 10 years, the means must now be found to pay the bill. A recent report by Citizens for Tax Justice highlighted three proposals that would raise the needed revenue without burdening working families already struggling to make ends meet. | Read
The Health Express, Issue 1: Key Issues of the Health Reform Debate
July 15, 2008 -- This summer Congress is debating major changes to the way we finance and deliver health care. The proposed changes will impact every West Virginian and our children for generations to come. This policy brief describes the key issues of the debate and what they mean for West Virginians. | Read
Tobacco Tax Benefits Outweigh Concerns (HB 2746/SB 420)
March 13, 2009 -- Read
Many States Use Medicaid to Expand Health Coverage
January 12, 2009 -- Many states are turning to Medicaid to insure low-income working parents | Read
Medicaid Matters: A Medicaid Waiver for Family Planning Can Improve Health and Save Dollars
September, 2008 -- West Virginia Medicaid can improve the health of West Virginia women and infants and save dollars by providing family planning services for new mothers for 24 months beyond the birth of the baby. | Read PDF
West Virginia Has Second Highest Percent of Chronically Ill Children; Public Health Insurance Coverage is Vital
August, 2008 -- West Virginia had the second highest percent of children with special health care needs in the nation in 2005 – 2006. | Read PDF
Medicaid is Affordable and Sustainable
June, 2008 -- This article shows why the single most important health insurance and long-term care program in the state is affordable and sustainable. | Read
Health Care Provider Taxes and Rates
June, 2008 -- This fact sheet identifies the sixteen health care provider taxes used as matching funds for the West Virginia Medicaid Program. | Read PDF
Medicaid Matters: Part 1 - An Overview of the Medicaid Program in West Virginia
May, 2008 -- Your primer to how Medicaid works in West Virginia. | Read PDF | PowerPoint Presentation Handout)
Medicaid Matters: Deciphering the Governor's FY 2009 Budget
March, 2008 -- Factors important to understand when analyzing the Governor's 2009 Budget with regard to Medicaid. | Read PDF
West Virginia Missing Opportunity to Insure More Children: WVCHIP Funding in the Year Ahead Implications of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act (Full Report)
March, 2008 -- With the most recent publication of funding levels by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, it appears that West Virginia will have sufficient federal funding to continue and even expand the WVCHIP program. | Read PDF