West Virginia State Planning Grant

Governor Wise established health coverage for every citizen as a major healthcare concern for children, low income working families and low income seniors for prescription drugs and preventive care during his administration. West Virginia received a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) State Planning Grant (SPG) in 2002 to develop a plan for addressing care for people in the state without health insurance. Six goals have been developed.

• A seamless public program of health care coverage for children and pregnant women up to 250% FPL, low income working parents up to 200%, and options for low income adults and seniors for prescription drugs and preventive care.
• Private and/or public private options for adorable, comprehensive health care insurance for small and medium size employers as well as working families and individuals with incomers above 200% FPL.
• Support for community health system integration (CAP Grant programs) and the State’s free clinic system to provide services to low income individuals and families not eligible for other programs.
• A climate of leadership and general public understanding that supports health insurance coverage expansion to all West Virginians.
• Maintain health insurance coverage West Virginians currently have so no harm occurs.
• Reduce the number of working age adults (and their families) without health insurance by half within the next five years.

The Health Care Authority is the lead agency, with the West Virginia Institute for Health Policy Research serving as the managing partner. A Health Advisory Group, representing business, labor, consumer and community leaders, examines issues relating to the uninsured and develops recommendations with final policy decisions made by the Health Umbrella Group. The grant’s Final Report was developed in early 2004.