CLARKSBURG. W.Va. (WBOY) — As the government shutdown stretches on, much of the debate between lawmakers has centered around extending tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, but how much do those credits impact West Virginia?

Ellen Allen of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care (WVAHC) said that West Virginia is one of the nation’s oldest and sickest populations, and when it comes to healthcare costs, the state needs help.

According to the WVAHC, around 67,000 people in the state use the Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits. Allen told 12 News that there are a number of factors that drive insurance premiums up in the state, including the fact that West Virginia has a relatively small population.

“We're one of the oldest populations in the state. So that drives our costs up. We

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