WVAHC Logo West Virginians for Affordable Health Care

Committed to affordable health care for all West Virginians... and doing something about it!

2009 Legislative Summary; GO HELP

obesityThe 2009 legislative session has just concluded. SB 414, which establishes the Governor’s Office of Health Enhancement and Lifestyle Planning, or GO HELP, was the most significant bill passed dealing with health care.
pdf  View SB 414 
pdf  View Summary of Legislative Session 

Early Deaths: West Virginians Have Some of the Shortest Life Expectancies in the United States

Short Life ExpectancyWest Virginians have lower life expectancies than the rest of the United States, and southern West Virginians have some of the lowest life expectancies in the country, particularly women. These are some of the findings of a report issued in September, 2008 by West Virginians for Affordable Health Care (WVAHC).
 pdf  Read the Report          Study the Raw Data

Costly Health Care:
Serious Problems Call for Serious Solutions

Cover Image of Blueprint for Health Care ReformRun-away health care costs put everyone’s care in jeopardy. We’ve found solutions--straightforward, doable actions to control costs and provide coverage to everyone. Our Blueprint shows the way, right now.

pdf  A Blueprint for Health Care Reform in West Virginia: A Shared Responsibility.  (partial funding from the Claude Worthington Bennington Foundation) or read our 12-page summary booklet.  (partial funding from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston)

pdf  WVAHC Reform News

ppt  WVAHC's PowerPoint presentation on comprehensive health care reform in West Virginia.  (Free PowerPoint viewer if you need it.  Or you may view the same slides in PDF format. (You can download a free Adobe Reader for PDF files.)

WVAHC can make a presentation on our health care reform proposal to your group.  E-mail Perry Bryant or call 304-344-1673.

New Video
Within Our Reach: Health Care for All

Within Our Reach Video CaptureWVAHC has published a new video, introduced by several prominent West Virginia community and religious leaders, that explains our belief that practical solutions exist for providing affordable health coverage to every West Virginian. Sound far-fetched? We don't think so. We're already on the right path with recent reforms we've made in West Virginia. But we have much more work to do. Visit our videos page and watch Within Our Reach.

Tell Us Your Story

Tell Us Your StoryWe want to hear your personal experience with health care in West Virginia. Did you pay too much for too little?  Were you denied services because of pre-existing condition? Has an insurance company ever refused to sell you an insurance policy or make the rates unaffordable based on a pre-existing condition? Have you experienced a medical error? If so, what were the consequences? Do you wonder if you'll be able to afford health care coverage in the future? Your story will help us understand the health care system better and help us promote common sense solutions to your real problems.  Tell us.