Tough Session Has W.Va. Health Care Advocates Looking to D.C.

After a disappointing legislative session, those who seek to extend health care coverage in West Virginia believe that the necessary change "seems more likely to come from Washington than Charleston," The Associated Press reports.

"I'm drawn to the conclusion that we may not have the leadership in West Virginia necessary to take on the powerful special interests that dominate the health care debate," Perry Bryant, executive director of West Virginians For Affordable Health Care, told AP's Tom Breen.

But Breen also reports that Gov. Joe Manchin is still pursuing his pledge "to offer Medicaid coverage to families and single adults earning up to 50 percent of the federal poverty level."

"The Bureau for Medical Services has been in talks with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about expanding Medicaid eligibility," the article said. "The poverty level is $10,830 for individuals. Currently, Medicaid coverage is only available to West Virginia families earning up to 35 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $22,050 for a family of four."