Key Takeaways

• Millions of dollars in health care subsidies will expire on January 1, leaving 67,000 West Virginians at risk.
• Many families face doubled or tripled monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act plans.
• Medicaid cuts in the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” could harm rural hospitals and local economies.
• Federal leaders can still restore subsidies and protect affordable health care in West Virginia.

A Health Care Crisis in West Virginia

Christmas should be about family, faith, and joy. Instead, many West Virginia households worry that they’ll lose health care on January 1. Congress left town without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. As a result, these cost-saving measures for about 67,000 people will run out. At the same time, threats like the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” could cut Medicaid funding more than ever before.

Families are already seeing their market premiums double or triple. Older adults who rely on ACA plans until they join Medicare face bills as high as a mortgage payment. Parents who saved all year for Christmas are now using that money just to keep their children covered. Because Congress adjourned without action, there is no immediate fix. Households must choose to pay more than they can or go without health care coverage.

Why This Health Care Problem Matters

West Virginia has one of the highest rates of residents who depend on Medicaid. We also have many older adults, rural families, and workers with physically hard jobs. These people need reliable, affordable health care to stay healthy, work, and care for their loved ones. When coverage disappears, rural hospitals lose patients and money. Local businesses feel the strain. Entire communities become less stable.

Moreover, health care isn’t just a policy debate. It is the insulin a grandmother uses every day. It is a cancer screening that catches a disease early. It is a doctor’s visit for a child without fear of bankruptcy. In the coldest months, our state’s most vulnerable feel this crisis most.

How We Got Here

Last year, Congress approved enhanced ACA subsidies to help families afford insurance. These measures kept premiums low for thousands of West Virginians. Then Congress failed to renew the subsidies before leaving for the holidays. At the same time, some lawmakers pushed a bill called the “Big Beautiful Bill.” This plan would make the largest cuts to Medicaid ever seen. While that bill has not yet passed, it shows how deep the threat to our health care system runs.

Because policy decisions created this crisis, policy choices can also fix it. Lawmakers can return from their break and extend the subsidies. They can protect Medicaid from drastic cuts. They can reject proposals that would leave more families uninsured.

What Needs to Happen Next

First, Congress must restore the enhanced subsidies. That step would protect 67,000 people from sudden price hikes on January 1. It would stop premiums from doubling or tripling overnight. Second, federal leaders should defend Medicaid funding. Cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” would harm rural hospitals and local jobs. Third, lawmakers must remember the human impact behind each line of legislation.

Meanwhile, West Virginians can lift their voices. Patients, caregivers, nurses, faith leaders, and advocates have shown their power in past health care battles. They can share their stories again. They can call and write their representatives. Their voices can remind lawmakers that health care is not a partisan issue. It is a basic need.

Holding On to Hope

This holiday season feels anxious for many families. Yet it also brings clarity. West Virginians deserve better. We deserve health care that is affordable, reliable, and treated as the essential foundation it is. This moment calls on all of us to stand up for fair policy choices in the new year. Congress can still act. When it does, families will breathe easier. Hospitals will stay open. Communities will grow stronger.

As we celebrate Christmas, let us care for our neighbors in word and in action. Our lawmakers must do the same. Otherwise, the gift of health care will remain out of reach for too many.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the ACA subsidies expire?

If enhanced subsidies expire on January 1, many West Virginians will face much higher insurance premiums. Some families may find plans too expensive and go without coverage.

Who benefits from Medicaid cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill”?

The proposed cuts would not benefit most people. Instead, they would reduce funding for rural hospitals, hurt low-income residents, and weaken the overall health care system.

Can Congress still extend the subsidies?

Yes. Lawmakers can return from the holiday break and vote to restore the enhanced subsidies. This action would protect thousands of families from sudden price hikes.

How can West Virginians make a difference?

Residents can share personal stories, contact their representatives, and join local advocacy groups. Speaking up shows lawmakers that health care matters to every community.