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Guest Opinion: West Virginia must act now and implement IDD rate increases

West Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) deserve the opportunity to live, learn, work, and thrive in their communities. The services that make this possible — provided by dedicated professionals across our state — are at risk. Unless the state implements rate increases for IDD services on October 1, 2025, more providers will be forced to close their doors, and families will lose the critical support they depend on every day. This is not a new issue. A 2023 rate study recommended a 31% increase to IDD home and community-based service rates. Providers ...

Guest Opinion: Environmental decisions affecting coal

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has been at the forefront of discussions on the importance of having a reliable energy source for this nation. While never downplaying the importance of all fuels, we consistently advocate for having energy that doesn’t falter when there’s no wind or no sun shining. We’ve found that coal and natural gas, both abundant in the Mountain State, are reliable sources for powering electric generation plants. In support of this idea, the administration in Washington declared a national energy emergency soon after it came into ...

Guest Opinion: Protecting Medicare Advantage means protecting seniors’ health and well-being

Before, during and after my time in the West Virginia Senate, I’ve been proud to advocate for mental health. The best way to fight illness, physical or mental, is to prevent it before it takes hold. That’s why I believe so strongly in protecting Medicare Advantage and the benefits it brings to our seniors. Medicare Advantage isn’t just another insurance program. It’s a lifeline for more than 34 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of West Virginia seniors and people with disabilities. Unlike traditional, fee-for-service Medicare, it covers services that keep ...

This time of year is always a look at the past

It’s hard to believe it has already been an entire year since I wrote a column about my oldest son, Dylan, turning 32. I blinked. And this week, he turns 33. Still a good age, although it reminds me of how quickly time passes. It also shows me how I am really no further ahead than I was more than three decades ago. And it can hurt terribly. It truly does sadden me at times to realize I didn’t use the life I was given here wisely. But then again, how many of us really do? How many of us take advantage of the life God gave us and use it to our fullest potential? I ...

Here’s to your healthcare, West Virginia

Last week marked the first legislative interim meetings since the end of June, with lawmakers getting a two-month summer break. Well, some lawmakers. Much of Republican legislative leadership spent their summer in planning meetings for a possible special session that did not happen. At one point, there was a hard date set for a special session in July. But then that was moved back to September coinciding with last week’s interims. It should be obvious that a special session – which was to be focused on the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) – did not occur. While ...

Wrapping up one season, beginning another

This weekend, for all intents and purposes, served as the end of the summer season – at least when it comes to local events. Friday saw the final installment of the City of Weirton’s inaugural summer event series, with a performance by Let’s Groove Tonight, an Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute group. The concert had been scheduled for earlier in the summer season, but was postponed out of concern for potential weather that never really arrived in the area. Saturday (today for some of you reading this) brought us the final Second Saturday event of the year, organized by the Top of ...