West Virginia
State-wide “Cover West Virginia Day” to provide free information on healthcare coverage
PRINCETON, W. Va. (WVVA) -On Tuesday, health centers across West Virginia will be participating in “Cover West Virginia Day,” a day dedicated to providing free information on getting health insurance.
This state-wide event is organized by West Virginia Navigator, a free, grant-funded program focused on helping people find and sign up for health coverage. The Bluestone Health Center in Princeton is just one of 48 West Virginia organizations letting people come in on Tuesday without an appointment to talk with someone about healthcare options. Jeremy Smith, program director for West Virginia Navigator and one of the organizers who first came up with the idea, says it’s a way to reach the more than one hundred thousand people in West Virginia currently without any health coverage.
He says the support for Cover West Virginia Day has been even better than expected which he attributes to people recognizing how valuable this information will be for those living in the state.
“I think everybody knows how important having health insurance is. I mean, if you don’t have health insurance and something happens to you, you know, just one car wreck or one surgery without insurance could bankrupt you and your family. And then, we also know that if you have insurance, you’re just happier and you’re healthier. It allows you to get to your doctor when you have small health issues before they become large health issues…” says Smith.
If you would like to participate in Cover West Virginia Day to receive free information on signing up for health coverage, you can simply walk into one of the participating locations 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Tuesday, January 9th. If you can’t make it, Smith says you can also call West Virginia Navigator for help. You can find a full list of participating locations on their website. The deadline for signing up for health coverage this year is January 16th.
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West Virginia
Morrisey signs Baylea’s Law, increasing criminal penalties in W.Va. for DUI causing death
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey officially signed House Bill 4712 into law on Friday.
The bill, better known as Baylea’s Law, increases criminal penalties against those who are convicted of driving under the influence resulting in death. The bill is named after Baylea Bower, a 24-year-old woman from Boone County who was killed in a car crash on Easter in 2025 caused by a drunk driver.
The bill passed the House in February, with several of Bower’s family and friends gathered at the West Virginia Capitol in support of the bill.
“Obviously we’re going to be heartbroken,” Bower’s friend India Henderson said. “We have the lifetime sentence of not having Baylea. But if this does help save a life in the future and cause someone to not want to go out and cause this tragedy, then that is a win.”
In accordance with the passage of the bill, Baylea’s Law will take effect on June 12.
“West Virginia will no longer allow those who drive while impaired to escape the full weight of justice,” Morrisey said Friday in a press release. “Baylea’s Law gives our legal system the teeth to demand absolute accountability for the most heartbreaking crimes. Today, our laws stand firmly on the side of victims and their families.”
Specifically, Baylea’s Law introduces the offense of aggravated DUI resulting in death, which will carry the following mandatory sentences, according to a release from Morrisey’s office:
- Five to 30 years in prison
- Fine of $2,000 to $10,000
- Lifetime revocation of the offender’s driver’s license
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