Access to care and affordability of health insurance are critical to overall health, but they vary widely across U.S. states. States across the country are evaluated on factors such as health insurance coverage, adult health care visits, access to care, and Medicare quality, and here in the Mountain State, the results are abysmal.
While West Virginia has done a great job of insuring its residents and boasts one of the lowest per capita uninsured rates in the country, nothing good can be said about health outcomes in the state.
West Virginia has the worst health care in the nation, according to a recent national study. West Virginia ranks 6th in affordability but has the worst health outcomes of any state, with the highest rate of preventable deaths, 126 preventable deaths per 100,000 residents, and diabetes deaths. It also has the highest average private health insurance premiums in the U.S., at about $8,546 per year.
West Virginia's alarming rates of preventable disease deaths serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive health care improvement. Ranking first in preventable deaths per 100,000 residents, the state is witnessing avoidable tragedies that demonstrate systemic problems underlying the health care infrastructure. Enhanced preventive measures, targeted public health campaigns, and timely access to high quality health care are vital components to reducing the burden of preventable deaths and improving the overall well-being of West Virginia residents.
The cost of health care in West Virginia, one of the poorest states in the country, places a heavy burden on its residents. This financial burden creates significant barriers to accessing basic health care services and threatens the financial stability of individuals and families.
One piece of good news on cost is that the additional premium tax credits (APTC) enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act have helped millions of people afford health insurance in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
More than 21,000 West Virginia residents are taking advantage of these tax credits, which will save the average enrollee approximately $700 in 2024. These tax credits are a lifeline for West Virginia residents who otherwise would not be able to afford health insurance or access health care.
By making health insurance more affordable, APTC's improvements have contributed to a record 21.4 million people enrolling in the insurance marketplace in 2024. This is nearly double the 2021 enrollment of only 12 million people.
For people looking for coverage between jobs where health care is employer-sponsored, or for people who work for themselves or small employers who can't afford a group plan, the ACA Marketplace offers affordability and flexibility.
Extended tax credits for insurance premiums are set to expire in 2025. If Congress does not extend the tax credits, this assistance will be cut and tens of thousands of West Virginia residents will lose health insurance, delay or skip needed health care services, or go into debt to pay for health care services they cannot afford.
Mitigating the burden of health care costs requires innovative approaches, including ensuring transparency, exploring options for expanding Medicaid coverage, and encouraging competition among insurers.
However, we cannot continue to ignore the big, sick elephant in the room on CPR. To truly address West Virginia's poor health care outcomes, we must dig a little deeper and look at the unique challenges faced by mountain people.
Social determinants of health - place of birth, height, life, work, and age - can influence 80% of a person's health outcomes even before a medical intervention takes place.
West Virginia has a unique set of challenges that negatively impact the social determinants of health, particularly for at-risk populations, including one of the most serious drug problems in the country; high rates of obesity, diabetes, and disability resulting in one of the lowest rates of labor force participation, which is also a contributing factor to social isolation; and a predominantly rural population, with two-thirds of all West Virginians living in underserved rural communities with no
In addition, population decline is aging the state's population. West Virginia ranks third in the nation in the percentage of the population age 65 and older. This can be a stressor on the workforce with many other problems. It's hard to sustain a business if you don't have people with disposable income, so the economy goes down.
Addressing the social determinants of health may be particularly important for removing barriers and improving the health of Medicaid populations, but understanding West Virginia's specific challenges is equally important for success.
West Virginia's population health indicators paint a grim picture of the state's overall well-being. These shocking numbers call for immediate solutions to systemic problems that impede preventive measures and access to essential health care services. The people of West Virginia deserve a robust, diversified health care system that can improve outcomes and well-being.