Health

March 28, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Trigger Bill Puts Health Coverage for 165,000 and $1 Billion at Risk

On Thursday, the House Finance committee originated a bill, HB 3518, that would “disenroll and eliminate state coverage” for the Medicaid expansion population if the federal match for the program is reduced. According to the most recent data available (December 2024), more than 165,000 West Virginians between the ages of 19-64 would lose their health…

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March 28, 2025 by Seth DiStefano
RFK Jr. Pushes Ban on Soda From Being Purchased With Food Stamps

Washington Post, Spokesman Review - Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s quest to reshape food policy in America took him to an event in West Virginia with the state’s Republican governor, who announced Friday his intent to seek the federal government’s help in barring the use of food stamps to buy soda. Read the full article. “Taxpayer…

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March 26, 2025 by Rhonda Rogombe
Bill That Could Decrease SNAP Eligibility Clears Senate

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - The state Senate passed Senate Bill 249 which would expand training and employment requirements to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The bill also pushes back the age at which West Virginians would no longer have to participate in those work requirements for SNAP eligibility. Read the full article. …

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March 26, 2025 by Rhonda Rogombe
WV Senate Passes Bill that Would Expand Work, Training Requirements for SNAP

West Virginia Watch - The West Virginia Senate has approved a bill that would expand the work and training requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps.  Read the full article. Senators approved Senate Bill 249 with no discussion and a vote of 32 to 2.  With some exceptions, able-bodied people without dependents…

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March 18, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Efforts to Privatize PEIA are Misguided or Punitive

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…

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March 10, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Budget Cuts on Inside West Virginia Politics

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…

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March 5, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Gutting the Federal Workforce Won’t Make Government More Efficient

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,…

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March 2, 2025 by Kelly Allen
West Virginia Starts to Size Up the Consequences if Medicaid is Cut at Federal Level

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…

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February 20, 2025 by Sean O'Leary
Supporting Youth Mental Health in West Virginia

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…

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