In 2002, West Virginia received HRSA SPG funds to assure that the current levels of coverage in West Virginia's public and private health care programs are maintained. The state also developed an incremental plan that makes affordable quality coverage available to all West Virginians and reduces by half the non-elderly adult uninsured rate from 20 percent to 10 percent within five years.

Activities conducted under the grant include a household survey, an employer survey, and focus groups. The SPG team created a communications plan to keep the uninsured issue on the front burner for state policy makers, the public, and other stakeholders. In addition, two background papers were developed. The first explored the role of the safety net in caring for the uninsured in the state and the other explored the administrative savings associated with simplified public insurance programs.

In 2004, West Virginia received a HRSA pilot project planning grant to develop options to offer affordable health insurance to the pre-Medicare population (aged 50 to 64), specifically those who have lost and are at risk of losing their retiree benefits.

Learn more about the West Virginia state planning grant effort.  

Application

Year End Report, September 2005

Application, April 2002

Interim Report, September 2003

Interim Report, October 2004

Dempkowski, A. "Literature Review on State Activities Related to Employer-Sponsored Insurance," West Virginia State Planning Grant, February 2003.

Dempkowski, A. "Literature Review on State Activities Related to Individual Health Insurance," West Virginia State Planning Grant, April 2003.

Health Insurance and West Virginia's Children: Fact Shee t, February 2005

Health Insurance and West Virginia's Non Elderly Adults: Fact Sheet, February 2005

Health Insurance and West Virginia's Older Adults: Fact Sheet, February 2005

Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, The Uninsured in West Virginia: Putting a Human Face on the Problem of Uninsurance, March 2003.

Richardson, S.A. "An Evaluation of Health Insurance and Health Insurance Options in West Virginia: Qualitative Study of Employers, Uninsured Consumers and Insurance Agents," Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, October 2003.

Richardson, S.K. "Health Insurance in West Virginia: The Children's Report," Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, April 2002.

Richardson, S.K. "Health Insurance in West Virginia: The Non Elderly Adult Report," Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, July 2002.

Richardson, S.K. "Health Insurance in West Virginia: The Older Adult Report," Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, January 2003.

Richardson, S.K. "West Virginia Employer Survey Report," Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, October 2003

Richardson, S.K. "Working Adults and Health Insurance in West Virginia," Institute for Health Policy Research, West Virginia University, June 2003.

Options to Expand Insurance Coverage in West Virginia, June 2003 (revised August 2003)

West Virginia State Planning Grant, Impact of the Safety Net Providers on the Uninsured in West Virginia, August 2004.

West Virginia State Planning Grant, October 15 th Health Advisory Council Subcommittee Recommendations, October 2003.

West Virginia State Planning Grant, The WV Health Insurance Focus Group Report: An Evaluation of the Individual Health Access Plan and Adult Basic Benefit Plan by Individuals, the Self-Employed, Small Business Owners and Insurance Industry Representatives, March 2004.