West Virginia Health Right has emerged as a crucial safety net for the working poor in the state, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by low-income individuals. On October 21, 2024, over 500 West Virginians attended the We Care WV Day in Charleston, where they received free vision, dental, and medical services. This event highlights the ongoing need for accessible healthcare, especially as 158,000 West Virginians lost Medicaid coverage due to the unwinding of COVID-related policies. Annually, West Virginia Health Right serves approximately 45,000 low-income uninsured individuals at no cost, demonstrating its vital role in the community. The clinic operates with the support of over 600 volunteer physicians and dentists, showcasing a strong commitment to public health. For every dollar of funding, the clinic generates over $30 worth of care, with the average cost of care being $182 per person per year. Additionally, Wheeling Health Right serves around 27,000 West Virginians, further emphasizing the demand for such services. However, both clinics are facing funding challenges as patient numbers continue to rise. Dr. Angie Settle has called for increased funding in the FY26 budget to prevent potential loss of services, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable support for healthcare access among low-income individuals in West Virginia.
Compounding these challenges, over 200,000 West Virginians rely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for health insurance, with more than 51,000 purchasing insurance via the federal marketplace and 166,000 on Medicaid due to ACA expansion. Concerns have arisen as Donald Trump is poised for a second presidency, which could threaten the stability of the ACA. Louise Norris notes the ACA's Supreme Court upholding in 2021, but uncertainty remains about future repeal attempts. The state's uninsured rate dropped from 15% in 2013 to 5.9% in 2022, highlighting the ACA's benefits. Tax credits from the American Rescue Plan, set to expire in 2025, are crucial for affordability, especially since West Virginia has the highest premiums in the U.S. Charleston business owner Venu Menon has expressed fears over a potential ACA repeal, emphasizing the rising medical costs. Ellen Allen, executive director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, stated her premiums would rise from $15,000 to $30,000 without tax credits. This situation underscores the critical role of the ACA in West Virginia's healthcare landscape and the potential risks posed by political changes.
A recent analysis by the Urban Institute, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, indicates that if Congress does not extend healthcare tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025, approximately 4 million Americans could lose health coverage. Nearly 2.5 million of these individuals reside in states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, with Southern states, particularly Mississippi, being the most affected. An estimated 112,000 residents in Mississippi alone could lose coverage. Enrollment in subsidized ACA Marketplace plans is projected to decrease by 7.2 million, with significant impacts on minority communities—1.1 million Black Americans and 1.3 million Hispanic individuals are expected to lose subsidized coverage, primarily in non-expansion states. This looming expiration of tax credits adds another layer of uncertainty to the healthcare landscape, particularly for low-income individuals who rely on these subsidies for affordable coverage. [97713782][ad4842fb][2d9a4cb5]