The Times West Virginian

Opinion

November 12, 2008

Health coverage for all uninsured workers in state worthy objective

Health care is a problem for far too many in the Mountain State.

That’s why we’re glad that Gov. Joe Manchin, buoyed by the largest victory margin ever won by someone seeking his office, wants to extend health coverage to every uninsured working West Virginian — possibly through the main benefits program for state employees.

Manchin said he could propose expanding the state’s Public Employees Insurance Agency to cover small businesses, according to The Associated Press.

But there’s more good news.

He may also ask lawmakers to let the working poor keep their Medicaid benefits for 10 years once their rising income otherwise leaves them ineligible. The grace period is now five years.

“I’m committed to getting every working person health care,” Manchin said. “They’ll say it’s too costly. Well, hell, it’s costly now.”

Yes, it definitely is.

The latter option would require a federal waiver, and both are among several that require more research, Manchin spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg later said. She added that the economy or other factors could delay his health-care proposals beyond 2009, but that they would remain a priority of his second term.

Unfortunately, about 254,000 West Virginians, just over 14 percent, lack health insurance, according to the latest Census estimates. PEIA already covers about 197,000 state workers, retirees and their families, while about 281,000 residents rely on Medicaid. The two programs cost the state $1.2 billion last year.

The governor also pledged to continue the gradual tax cuts that helped define his first term — but he offered no specific tax-related proposal for next year’s session. He instead cautioned that a national recession could at least hamper that goal.

“Are we going to stop the progression we’re having? Not at all,” the governor said. “But when we see a storm coming that we have no control over, we’re not going to get ourselves in a position where we’re hemorrhaging.”

That’s certainly a logical stance.

Manchin attributed his election outcome to a growing confidence by residents in their state and themselves. Besides shaving down both business and consumer taxes, such as the one on groceries, the state has narrowed funding shortfalls in its pension programs and built up its emergency reserves since he took office in 2005.

Thanks to such policies and a booming coal market, West Virginia has so far weathered the global financial crisis that has buffeted other states.

“We have cash flow. We have reserves. We’re going to get through it,” the governor said.

Yes, far too many are going without health coverage in our state.

We applaud the Manchin administration for seeing a problem and trying to come up with a solution.

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