West Virginia Should Bring PACE to Families Who Need It Most

Opinion: PACE program could strengthen caregiver support, improve health outcomes for seniors, and help Medicaid dollars go further in the state.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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In an opinion piece, Jason Parsons, President & CEO of Blue Ridge Care in Winchester, Virginia, argues that West Virginia should bring the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to the state. PACE is a model of care that integrates medical care, behavioral health, medications, therapy, transportation, and social services into one coordinated system for older adults who qualify for nursing-home-level care but prefer to remain in their homes. Parsons, a native West Virginian, says PACE would strengthen caregiver support, improve health outcomes for seniors, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and help Medicaid dollars go further in the state, where nearly 21% of residents are age 65 or older and more than one in four adults serves as a family caregiver.

Why it matters

West Virginia has one of the highest proportions of residents aged 65 and older in the country, and more than a quarter of its adults serve as family caregivers. Bringing the PACE program to the state could provide crucial support to these families, improving health outcomes for seniors while also reducing costs for the Medicaid program that shoulders the majority of long-term care expenses.

The details

PACE is designed to help older adults who qualify for nursing-home-level care remain in their homes by integrating and coordinating their medical care, behavioral health, medications, therapy, transportation, and social services. The model has been shown to result in better health outcomes, fewer emergency room visits, fewer hospitalizations, and dramatically reduced reliance on nursing-home placement. It can also save Medicaid programs money compared to institutional care, as the focus on prevention, coordination, and community-based care helps avoid more costly interventions.

  • PACE programs are currently available in more than 30 states, but West Virginia does not currently offer the program.

The players

Jason Parsons

A native of Boone County, West Virginia, and a graduate of West Virginia University, Parsons is the President & CEO of Blue Ridge Care, a PACE program operator in Winchester, Virginia.

Mrs. Johnson

A West Virginia resident living alone with diabetes, heart disease, and mobility challenges who was able to remain in her home and receive coordinated care through a PACE program after moving across the state line to Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“Stories like this are why West Virginia should bring PACE to my home state.”

— Jason Parsons, President & CEO, Blue Ridge Care (therealwv.com)

“Most importantly, Mrs. Johnson is still living at home and is happy there.”

— Jason Parsons, President & CEO, Blue Ridge Care (therealwv.com)

What’s next

West Virginia lawmakers and policymakers could explore bringing the PACE program to the state to provide coordinated care and support for older adults and their family caregivers.

The takeaway

Implementing the PACE model of care in West Virginia could strengthen caregiver support, improve health outcomes for seniors, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and help Medicaid dollars go further in a state with a high proportion of older residents and family caregivers.