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ACA has dramatically shifted West Virginia’s health care landscape

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5 months ago

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westvirginiawatch.com – Ellen Allen – 2025-03-27 04:55:00

by Ellen Allen, West Virginia Watch
March 27, 2025

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law 15 years ago, and it remains one of the most consequential health care reforms in our country’s history.

At the time it was enacted I was the CEO of Covenant House. We were the recipients of a small grant — awarded from West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, no less — that allowed us to act as Community Assisters. Covenant House advocates enrolled over 300 West Virginians  — some of our most vulnerable citizens — in health care; for most it was the first time in their lives that they had access to health insurance. 

Over the last 15 years, the ACA has expanded affordable coverage to people previously locked out of health insurance, lowered premiums and out-of-pocket costs, and helped the nation’s uninsured rate reach an all-time low. Unfortunately, dismantling it remains a top Republican priority as they look to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. 

Do we really want to make it nearly impossible for West Virginians to afford health care? 

The ACA protects 737,900 West Virginians with pre-existing conditions from being charged more or denied coverage by insurance companies. It guarantees free preventive care for over 217,000 West Virginians, and it allows young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance plans. More Americans than ever count on it today: a record 24.2 million Americans are enrolled in quality coverage thanks to Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTC) that make health care more affordable for millions of middle-class families purchasing coverage on their own. 

Millions of Americans are relying on these tax credits, but Republicans want to take them away, which would lead premiums to spike and leave 5 million more people uninsured. 

I personally acquire my health care through the ACA and qualify for ePTC. I do pay my fair share: The ePTC makes health insurance more affordable for me. If the ePTC are not renewed, my combined out of pocket and annual premium costs would reach $40,000 annually. I’ll be honest, this makes my heart skip a beat. 

Unless Congress acts now, premium costs will skyrocket for over 64,000 families across West Virginia, including me. On average, families would pay at least $1,404 for their premiums, and 5,300 West Virginians will lose their insurance entirely — including people who are self-employed, small businesses, older adults who don’t yet qualify for Medicare, people living in high-cost rural areas, farmers, people with pre-existing conditions and more. 

Lower premium costs have helped take the pressure off families and given them more room to pay for other necessities like food, rent and gas. ACA coverage in West Virginia has more than doubled thanks to the efforts of Democrats who have worked tirelessly to protect and expand the ACA. 

Yet, here we are again, standing at the edge of a health care cliff. Republicans are pushing to raise premiums and health care costs for 24 million Americans by taking away these tax credits from hard working families. From day one, Republicans have been fighting to raise health care costs, from voting against these savings in the first place to now taking them away. 

Instead of protecting affordable coverage, Republicans are more focused on delivering tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations while leaving Mountaineers struggling to get by. Losing these savings would be devastating to millions who may otherwise not be able to access health care. As a result, millions of families will once again have to choose between being able to see a doctor or keeping a roof over their heads. 

As the ACA turns 15 years old this month, the law is unfortunately once again in Republicans’ crosshairs while Democrats have introduced the Health Care Affordability Act to ensure health care costs remain affordable for people who buy coverage on their own. If Republicans are serious about bringing down costs, they will ensure these tax credits remain available for families for years to come, and people with pre-existing conditions can continue to afford coverage. It is time for Republicans to get on board and protect the health care of millions of Americans.

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West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

The post ACA has dramatically shifted West Virginia’s health care landscape appeared first on westvirginiawatch.com

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National Grandparents Day (9-7-25) and the special bond shared with their grandchildren

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2 days ago

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September 6, 2025

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www.youtube.com – WOAY TV – 2025-09-06 14:02:11

SUMMARY: This Sunday, September 7th, is National Grandparents Day, honoring the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. In Milton State, many grandparents become primary caregivers due to their children’s substance abuse disorders. Presley Ridge highlights the vital role grandparents play in foster care, offering training and support to become certified foster parents. West Virginia leads the nation in child removals, resulting in many grandparents raising grandchildren full-time. Services aim to reunify families by supporting parents’ recovery. Children thrive better in familiar grandparent homes, providing love and stability. Senator Brian Hilton emphasizes improving treatment programs to help families heal and support grandparents effectively.

National Grandparents Day is a time to appreciate the joy and wisdom they bring to our lives. Mountain State grandparents often take on another role, stepping in to become primary caregivers when their children have substance abuse issues.

~ Newswatch reporter Jillian Risberg (https://www.facebook.com/JillianRisTV) found out how much love, guidance, and stability grandparents can provide.

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WV Supreme Court will hear BOE’s appeal in vaccine lawsuit — but not right away

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3 days ago

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September 5, 2025

By

westvirginiawatch.com – Lori Kersey – 2025-09-05 09:21:00


The West Virginia Supreme Court will review the Board of Education’s appeal against a Raleigh County judge’s July ruling that allowed religious exemptions to the state’s mandatory school vaccine requirements. The court set a Dec. 12 deadline for the board’s appeal but denied requests to expedite the case or pause lower court proceedings. The legal battle centers on religious freedom versus strict vaccination laws; West Virginia is one of five states without religious exemptions for school vaccines. Governor Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order permitting exemptions based on the 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act. A hearing on a permanent injunction is scheduled for Sept. 10-11.

by Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
September 5, 2025

West Virginia’s highest court will take on a legal battle over the state’s school vaccination requirements, but it denied a request by state school officials that it do so quickly. 

The state Supreme Court on Thursday set a deadline of Dec. 12 for the West Virginia Board of Education to prepare its appeal of a Raleigh County judge’s July ruling against it. That ruling was in regards to a lawsuit brought by three Raleigh County families over the board’s refusal to accept religious exemptions to the state’s mandatory school vaccine requirements. 

Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble in July granted a preliminary injunction in the case that allows students in the case to attend class with a religious exemption to the vaccination requirements. 

The school board had filed notice of appeal and asked the high court to both expedite a review of the appeal and temporarily halt the proceedings in the lower court. 

In the scheduling order Thursday, the court denied both motions. Justices also set a deadline of Jan. 26 for the plaintiffs in the case to respond to the board’s appeal. The board will then have until Feb. 16, 2026 to write a reply, if necessary. 

After the Feb. 16 reply brief deadline, the court writes, the appeal will be ready for review. 

The Raleigh lawsuit is one case in a legal battle over religious freedom and the state’s strict school vaccination requirements. Every state requires school students to be vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases including polio, chicken pox and measles. Florida officials announced this week plans to eliminate its vaccine mandates. 

West Virginia has been one of only five states that have not allowed students to opt out of the shots because of their religious or philosophical objections to them. 

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order on his second day in office requiring the state to allow religious exemptions. His order is based on the 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act. He argues that the religious freedom law, when read alongside the vaccination law, calls for the religious exemptions. 

Morrisey has not rescinded that executive order, even though the state Legislature earlier this year rejected a bill that would have established those religious exemptions in state code. 

Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble has scheduled a two-day hearing next week on a  permanent injunction in the lawsuit, which he recently consolidated with a lawsuit brought against the state health department by two parents of immunocompromised students over its issuance of religious exemptions. Plaintiffs in that case are represented by the ACLU of West Virginia and Mountain State Justice. 

The hearing is set for Sept. 10 and 11 at the Raleigh County Judicial Center. During that hearing, the judge has said he wants to consider issues that include whether the state’s vaccination law is constitutional without religious exemptions and the authority of Morrisey’s executive order. 

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West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.

The post WV Supreme Court will hear BOE’s appeal in vaccine lawsuit — but not right away appeared first on westvirginiawatch.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a factual and balanced overview of the legal dispute surrounding vaccine exemptions in West Virginia without evident partisan language or framing. It reports on actions taken by government officials, court decisions, and ongoing lawsuits from multiple perspectives, including those of the state board, families, and advocacy groups. The neutral tone and focus on legal developments suggest a centrist approach, aiming to inform rather than persuade toward a particular political viewpoint.

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Christian’s Morning Forecast: Strong to Severe Storms Incoming

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4 days ago

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September 4, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – WOAY TV – 2025-09-04 06:46:25

SUMMARY: Storm Watch meteorologist Christian Boler reports strong to severe storms approaching West Virginia, especially McDow, Tazewell, and Wyoming counties during the morning commute. Temperatures will remain in the upper 60s to low 70s with southwest winds around 5-10 mph. A marginal severe weather threat exists across the region, mainly involving winds and flooding, but no tornadoes or hail expected. Rainfall of a quarter to half an inch is likely over 48 hours with isolated downpours. Storms will arrive in two waves before clearing Friday. Another front may bring showers Saturday, but high pressure will clear skies for the weekend and beyond.

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