Why Share Your Story?

Many of us are struggling to cover medical expenses, to care for loved ones, to find good paying jobs with medical coverage, or are working hard but not earning a living wage.  Your story will help us build a strong consumer voice and raise public awareness.  A story can change the hearts and minds of the public and our policymakers, so that the programs that provide affordable health care to you and your family will not see harmful funding cuts and changes. You can watch some of our video interviews with real West Virginians here.

Do I have to be video recorded?
No. In fact, you can choose how best you wish to share: Full name, first name only, county, text, audio, and/or video. However best you wish to share your stories, we're happy to receive it. Each story helps. We will need your full contact information when filling out your media release form, for our records, but that's just for you and us, not the public.

What kind of stories could you share with us?

• Are problems with your insurance stopping you from getting the care you need, such as denying your claims?
• Are you afraid of losing or have you lost your Medicaid coverage due to an increase in hours or pay, the end of the COVID Medicaid continuous enrollment provision, or something similar?
• Are you living with little to no HEALTH CARE coverage? Are co-pays, out of pocket expenses, or prescription drug prices overwhelming? Are you struggling with the health and economic consequences of COVID-19? Have you benefited from the ACA, Medicare, Medicaid?
• Does lack of affordable HOME CARE (child, elder, etc.) or PAID LEAVE (Family/Medical) affect your ability to work?

West Virginia Citizen Action Group, and our health care coalition partners and grantors, may use these stories for media and outreach, for testimony to the WV Legislature or the US Congress, or for events. In other words, your stories will be used to educate the public and our representatives, to try to make positive meaningful policy change. And, your stories will NOT be used without YOUR approval or consent. 

Thank you so much for sharing your WV story with us. Together, we can make a difference.