Health

February 15, 2022 by WVCBP
WV Bills Aim to Lower Drug Costs, Prevent Medicaid “Cliff”

Public News Service - West Virginia groups are pushing state lawmakers to pass several bills related to health care, bills they say would lower copays and increase access to health insurance. Read the full article. Legislators are considering a bill which would allow people who make a small amount of money over Medicaid's income limit to "buy…

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February 14, 2022 by WVCBP
New Brief Highlights Urgent Need for WV Lawmakers to Take Action to Preserve Critical SNAP Flexibilities

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2022Contact: Renee Alves, 559-916-5939 Charleston, WV – In May 2016, West Virginia implemented a pilot program that placed time limits on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for adults without children in the home (officially referred to as "abled-bodied adults without dependents" or "ABAWDs") across nine counties. Under these time limits, those affected were…

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February 14, 2022 by Rhonda Rogombe
West Virginia Policymakers Will Soon Lose Power to Use SNAP Flexibilities to Address Economic Downturns if Action is Not Taken

Background In May 2016, West Virginia implemented a pilot program that placed time limits on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for adults without children in the home (officially referred to as “able-bodied adults without dependents” or “ABAWDs”) across nine counties. Under these time limits, those affected were ineligible for SNAP if they could not…

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February 10, 2022 by WVCBP
At No State Cost, Proposed Medicaid Buy-in Legislation Could Provide Stability to West Virginia Working Families

For Immediate Release: February 10, 2022Contact: Renee Alves, 559-916-5939 Charleston, WV – On Thursday February 10, Health Care for All WV, a statewide coalition of health advocacy organizations and individuals working to improve access to health care for West Virginians, held a press conference at the WV State Capitol Complex in support of HB 3001. The legislation, introduced by…

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February 9, 2022 by WVCBP
Health Advocacy Coalition HighlightsLegislation That Could AddressMedicaid “Benefits Cliff” at No State Cost

Media Advisory: February 9, 2022Contact: Renee Alves, 304-720-8682 Charleston, WV – On Thursday February 10, Health Care for All WV, a statewide coalition of health advocacy organizations and individuals working to improve access to health care for West Virginians, will hold a press conference at the WV State Capitol Complex in support of HB 3001. The legislation,…

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January 19, 2022 by Kelly Allen, Rhonda Rogombe
Buy-in Policy Could Help Address Medicaid Cliff Effect

In December, West Virginia state lawmakers in the Joint Committee on Finance discussed the "cliff effect," a phenomenon wherein a small increase in household income makes an individual or family ineligible for public programs like Medicaid and food assistance. The result can often mean less economic security for the individual or family, as the cost…

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December 14, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
Life Can Be Tough for Kids in Many Anti-abortion States

CNN, Kake - Almost all of the states that produce the most unfavorable economic and health care outcomes for children are among those poised to ban or severely restrict access to abortion if the Supreme Court overturns the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade decision. Read the full article. That pattern underscores the paradox that the states most…

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November 11, 2021 by Rhonda Rogombe
As Pandemic Persists, Open Enrollment Provides West Virginians Opportunity to Access Critical Health Care

The open enrollment period to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) started on November 1 and continues through January 15. This period allows individuals without existing health coverage to enroll in a private insurance plan or Medicaid – all in one place. As the nation continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic,…

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November 3, 2021 by Rhonda Rogombe
Build Back Better Would Increase Health Equity

The US House of Representatives recently introduced its version of the Build Back Better plan. Under the House plan, 7.6 million people across the country would gain health coverage. Furthermore, health care would become more accessible to millions of Americans via increased subsidies on the individual marketplace. This plan aims to make health care accessible…

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October 20, 2021 by Sean O'Leary
With Unvaccinated Accounting for 93% of WV COVID-19 Deaths, Dr. Marsh Reinforces Need for Shots

Charleston Gazette-Mail - West Virginia’s COVID-19 death toll reached 4,219 Wednesday, including 2,878 deaths of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals since vaccines became available, a point state coronavirus czar Dr. Clay Marsh drove home during the state COVID-19 briefing. Read the full article. Since COVID-19 vaccines became available last December, the virus has killed 3,102…

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