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News + Press
WVDP Slams Republicans for Unleashing Health Care Crisis in WV on Affordable Care Act Anniversary
On Affordable Care Act Anniversary, WV Democratic Party Slams Republicans for Unleashing Health Care Crisis in West Virginia
For Immediate Release March 23, 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Today marks the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which 67,113 West Virginians relied on to afford their health care last year. However, because of Donald Trump and West Virginia Republicans' refusal to extend the lifesaving ACA enhanced tax credits, thousands of families have dropped their health insurance after seeing their premiums skyrocket by an average of 114%, creating a health care crisis in West Virginia.
While Republicans refuse to extend these credits, Democrats are fighting to extend them and ensure West Virginians are not priced out of their health care — which the majority of Americans support. According to new polling, two-thirds of Americans say Congress did the wrong thing by not extending enhanced ACA subsidies, including one-third of Trump’s coalition. Additionally, nearly 1 in 3 adults say they are “very worried” about affording their health care bills.
A reminder: Trump and Republicans also slashed $1 trillion from Medicaid, putting over 7 rural hospitals at risk of closure in West Virginia and ripping health care away from 75,000 West Virginians.
In response, West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin released the following statement:
“Donald Trump and West Virginia Republicans have unleashed a health care crisis in West Virginia. While Republicans are focused on Trump’s gold gilded ballroom, extravagant parties, and his illegal war in Iran that is costing American lives and increasing the cost of gas and other basics, Democrats are fighting to lower health care costs for hardworking West Virginians. Voters across West Virginia are furious with this Republican health care crisis, which is why from now until November, West Virginia Democrats are all-in to ensure Trump and his Republican allies are held accountable at the ballot box for making health care and other necessities unaffordable for West Virginia families.
For 16 years, Republicans and President Trump have promised to replace the Affordable Care Act with something better and cheaper—but Americans are still waiting. Instead of delivering on those promises, they have driven up health care costs leaving millions of Americans without the coverage they need.”
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