West Virginia expands Medicaid

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has unveiled West Virginia’s plan to expand Medicaid. More than 120,000 uninsured West Virginians will be eligible for coverage come January 1, 2014.

Tomblin, along with U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, made the announcement Thursday at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston.

“A lot of people with preexisting conditions will now be covered because we’re raising the eligibility for Medicaid,” explained Tomblin.

On top of the 120,000 uninsured that will be eligible to receive Medicaid, the federal Affordable Health Care Act will also cover more than 90,000 West Virginians who are currently under-insured. Tomblin says they will be eligible for affordable insurance under the federal health exchange. All total, more than 200,000 West Virginians who haven’t been able to pay for even an annual check-up or basic preventative care will now have that opportunity.

For the first three years the federal government covers 100 percent of the program. The state will have to shell out about $5 million a year for administrative costs. In year four, the federal monies will go to 90 percent and the state will pick up the other 10 percent of the cost. Tomblin says they’ve already looked through the DHHR budget and have found ways to save money to pay the state’s 10 percent.

“I think there’s savings that could be had which will cover a good portion of the state match,” Tomblin said. “I feel confident that we will be able to afford it in the future.”

But Tomblin admits it took him awhile to come around to that decision. He says his staff dug up facts and figures and then did the math to make sure this is what’s best for the state.

“That’s one of the reasons it’s taken me some time to rest with some assurance that the federal government will live up to their commitment.”

States can opt out of the AHCA but all 50 are required to pay into the program. That means states that don’t join will not receive the benefits but they will be paying for states like West Virginia who opt in.

Sen. Rockefeller praised the governor for his bold decision.

“Medicaid is a lifeline for so many West Virginia families…And by helping uninsured families get coverage, we reduce health care costs for everyone else,” stressed the senator. “West Virginians deserve nothing less.”

Open enrollment for the program will begin October 1. That’s when you can find out if you qualify and start filling out the needed paperwork. The program begins at the start of 2014.