Our Mission

Medicaid remains the backbone of West Virginia’s health care system — covering more than half a million West Virginians, including children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, low-income working adults, and seniors. It is also the lifeline that keeps our rural hospitals, clinics, and health care workers afloat. With more than $4 billion in federal matching dollars flowing into our state, Medicaid isn’t just a health program —
it’s an economic engine that sustains care and jobs in every county.

Yet in 2026, that lifeline is under threat. The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — supported by West Virginia’s entire congressional delegation — includes deep spending cuts that would automatically trigger reductions in Medicaid funding, as well as to Medicare through PAYGO provisions. These cuts would force impossible choices: fewer services, longer waits, and loss of coverage for those who need care the most.

WVAHC’s priority for 2026 is to preserve, protect, and defend Medicaid and Medicare from these reckless cuts. We will work to ensure lawmakers understand what’s at stake — that every dollar cut from Medicaid/Medicare is a dollar taken from West Virginia families, hospitals, and communities. A strong, accountable, and fully funded Medicaid program is essential to protecting our people and preserving access to care in every corner of the state.

Even for those with coverage, health care costs are rising faster than wages. Families are paying more for premiums, deductibles, and prescription drugs — and too many West Virginians are forced to skip care or ration medications because they can’t afford the cost. Rural residents and older adults are hit especially hard, often facing higher prices and fewer provider options.

In 2026, WVAHC will continue fighting for policies that make health care more affordable and accessible, including protecting ACA subsidies, curbing out-of-control prescription drug prices, and pushing for transparency and accountability from insurers and providers alike.

Every West Virginian deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing they can afford to see a doctor, fill a prescription, or take their child to the emergency room without fear of financial ruin. Health care should work for people — not profits.

Women’s health care in West Virginia faces growing barriers — from limited access to reproductive health services and maternity care, to rising maternal mortality rates and the closure of rural hospitals. These challenges are especially acute for low-income women, women of color, and those living in rural communities, where access to prenatal
and reproductive care can mean driving hours or going without care entirely.

WVAHC’s 2026 priority is to advance women’s health and reproductive justice by protecting access to comprehensive, evidence-based care — including contraception, prenatal and postpartum care, and reproductive health services. We will continue to advocate for policies that ensure women have the freedom to make informed decisions about their own health and futures, free from political interference.

Every woman deserves access to safe, affordable, and respectful health care — no matter where she lives or how much she earns. When women thrive, West Virginia thrives.

Vaccinations are one of the most effective tools we have to protect public health — preventing deadly diseases, keeping children in school, and saving lives. West Virginia has long been a national leader in strong immunization policies, with some of the highest childhood vaccination rates in the country. These protections keep our communities safe, especially children, seniors, and those who are immunocompromised.

However, growing misinformation and renewed political attacks threaten to weaken these hard-won protections. WVAHC’s 2026 priority is to defend and strengthen West Virginia’s vaccination and immunization requirements. We will advocate for science-based policy, support public education about vaccine safety, and oppose efforts to erode school-entry immunization laws or undermine public health infrastructure.

Vaccinations save lives. Protecting immunizations means protecting our families, our schools, and the future of West Virginia.

Public health helps improve quality of life by protecting and improving the health of people and our communities. Public health professionals work to prevent health problems and promote health equity through a variety of methods, including educating the public; tracking and preventing disease outbreaks; setting safety standards; advocating for laws; conducting research to discover the root causes of health problems; and promoting health equity.

Emergency Medical Services are at the intersection of public health, public safety, healthcare, and emergency management. Public health departments play a critical role in preparing for and responding to health disasters, and they work together with
emergency management agencies to do so.