Economic Security

August 19, 2025 by Kelly Allen
West Virginia’s Shrinking State Spending on Health and Education is Dramatically Increasing Downstream Costs

After years of flat budgets that fail to account for the cost of inflation on public services, West Virginia’s state spending on Medicaid, child care assistance, public education, and higher education have all declined. Meanwhile, other areas of the budget, namely spending on jails, prisons, and foster care, have increased dramatically. This is an expected…

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August 18, 2025 by Rhonda Rogombe
West Virginia Faces Potential Healthcare Crisis as Pandemic Tax Credits Set to Expire

WCHS - The Affordable Care Act changed the landscape of health insurance for Americans 15 years ago and since then, many Americans are still getting help when it comes to finding coverage. Read the full article. Almost 70,000 West Virginians utilize this as well, but West Virginia Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said these numbers could…

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August 14, 2025 by Rhonda Rogombe
Federal Policy Changes Will Have Sweeping Impacts on the ACA Marketplace: Part Two

This publication is part two of a two-part series outlining federal changes to the ACA Marketplace. Click here to read part one. Much of the attention around federal health care cuts has focused on the budget reconciliation law that all four members of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation supported, which we covered in part one of this blog series. In…

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August 13, 2025 by WVCBP
Paula Kaufman: Banning Food Dye in WV Schools is Theater (Opinion)

Charleston Gazette-Mail - Doesn’t take a genius to know food coloring is bad. Or that West Virginia is one of the most unhealthy states. Doesn’t take a rocket scientists either to know our biggest challenge isn’t dye. Read the full op-ed. The new food dye bill is performative. To be metaphorical: West Virginia’s governor removes…

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August 13, 2025 by WVCBP
Morrisey: WV Likely to Work With Trump Administration on SNAP Data Request

West Virginia Watch, News from the States - West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Tuesday he’s inclined to comply with a request from President Donald Trump’s administration to supply personal data for state residents who rely on a federal food assistance program.  Read the full article. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has asked states to turn over…

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August 11, 2025 by WVCBP
DOGE Cuts Costing W.Va. Money

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - West Virginia receives more federal funding than it sends to D.C. in taxes. But recent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, and budget and rescission efforts, are hurting the state’s bottom line. Read the full article. Since January, West Virginia has lost at least 400 federal jobs and more than $330 million in…

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August 10, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Groups Urge W.Va. Governor to Block USDA’s Request for SNAP Recipients’ Data

WCHS - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is calling on SNAP agencies across the country to release personal information about those who are in the program. Read the full article. Almost two dozen groups across West Virginia are urging Gov. Patrick Morrisey to not allow this to happen within the state, including West Virginia Citizen…

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August 8, 2025 by WVCBP
$330 Million and 400 Jobs Cut from West Virginia Due to DOGE

WVVA - The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy reports that $330 million and 400 jobs have been cut in the mountain state at the hands of the Department of Government Efficiency. Read the full article. “These reductions are already affecting public services and programs West Virginians rely on and are eliminating jobs in…

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