This legislative session at least four bills have been introduced that would abolish or privatize the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). All seem to be rooted in one of two premises: (1) health insurance could be better and more affordable if privatized; (2) the state no longer wants the expense of self-insuring employees anymore. If…
Health
WOWK - On this week’s episode of Inside West Virginia Politics, we discuss the Myrtle Beach wildfires, budget cuts, a pitch competition and bills. Read the full article. In Segment One, we talk to Meteorologist Scotty Powell about the wildfires in the Carolinas. In Segment Two, we talk to Kelly Allen of the WV Center…
West Virginia Watch, Beckley Register-Herald , Ohio Capital Journal- Two hundred workers were laid off from the Bureau of Fiscal Service in Parkersburg. Thousands from the Department of Veterans Affairs (including at least 10 in West Virginia). And hundreds each from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Caring for our veterans,…
West Virginia MetroNews, Beckley Register-Herald - West Virginia officials are watching what could happen if a financial framework for the federal government makes major changes to Medicaid. Read the full article. The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution this past week that could open the door to $880 billion in cuts to spending with…
Introduction We are currently in a mental health crisis both nationally and in West Virginia. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, youth across the country were experiencing mental health challenges, but during the pandemic there were steep increases in the number of youth experiencing anxiety and depression. The pandemic led to new stressors for youth, including school…
Federal policymakers are considering enacting work reporting requirements and other spending reductions for Medicaid in the new Congress.[1] Cuts to Medicaid and other federal programs would have a disproportionately harmful impact in West Virginia, which funds a larger share of its budget through federal dollars than most states. Proposals to reduce federal funding for programs…
Mountain State Spotlight, Times West Virginian , Charleston Gazette-Mail- For people across the state who said they need help with water, food, drug addiction and more, Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s proposed budget won’t bring any new money to the table to fix those issues. Read the full article. During budget hearings last week, Mike McKown, the…
Charleston Gazette-Mail, Huntington Herald-Dispatch - Two numbers will loom over the West Virginia legislative session that resumes Wednesday: 37 and 47. Read the full article. New Gov. Patrick Morrisey is West Virginia’s 37th governor. West Virginia ranked 47th nationally in economic well-being in a 2024 assessment of state trends in child welfare from a prominent…
Beckley Register-Herald - The last two West Virginia governors, including the newly minted one, Patrick Morrisey, who has been in the job for a little more than a turn of the screw, have had a difficult time leveling with the people of this poor state, especially when it comes to the health of the state…
Federal dollars support a wide array of public services and systems that touch the lives of all West Virginians — from health care and food assistance to child care and public schools. Under both the Trump Administration and Congress, many of these programs are being considered for deep cuts or significant reductions — in large…