Life Engagements Weddings Births/Birthdays Anniversaries Reunions CHARLESTON -- Monday marked the 16th anniversary since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act went into effect, with more than 67,000 West Virginians receiving health insurance through its marketplace. But advocates and supporters worry changes to the program could cause people to leave it. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known commonly as the Affordable Care Act, was passed by Congress and signed into law by then-President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010, though most of its provisions did not begin until 2014. The ACA made a number of health care reforms, including prohibiting health insurance companies from denying coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions; allowing young adults to remain on their parent's health insurance through age 26; and requiring coverage fo…

It also allowed states to expand their Medicaid programs to adults under age 65 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $21,597 annual income. Earl Ray Tomblin announced in 2013 that West Virginia would participate in the Medicaid expansion program, which went into effect in 2014. According to Allen, the number of uninsured West Virginians was at 18% prior to implementation of ACA and the expansion of Medicaid. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 19,856 West Virginians enrolled in the ACA marketplace in 2014. In 2025, the number reached 67,113 West Virginians - a 237% increase. As of 2025, 40 states plus Washington, D.C., were participating in ACA's Medicaid expansion. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, West Virginia's total Medicaid enrollment was 510,520, with expansion accounting for 33% of total enrollees – approximately 168,472 West…