Jay Rockefeller

John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV (born June 18, 1937) is an American retired politician who served as a United States senator from West Virginia from 1985 to 2015 and governor of West Virginia from 1977 to 1985. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Born into the prominent Rockefeller family in New York City, Rockefeller moved to Emmons, West Virginia in 1964 to serve as a Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) worker. He was first elected to public office as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates (1966–1968). Rockefeller was later elected secretary of state of West Virginia (1968–1973) and was president of West Virginia Wesleyan College (1973–1975), and was elected to two terms as governor of West Virginia. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984, while in office as governor. As a senator, Rockefeller served on the powerful Senate Finance Committee, including as chairman of the Subcommittee on Medicare and Long-term Care (later Health Care). He became a leading spokesman for healthcare reform, advocating for improved and modernized Medicare, expanded access to healthcare, and increased health coverage for children. He authored the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), that has provided health care coverage for millions of poor children. He played a crucial role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, advocating for a public insurance option. Rockefeller was also a major player regarding veterans' issues, serving on the Veterans' Affairs Committee for his entire Senate career, including multiple terms as its chairman. He focused on expanding research and treatment for service-related illnesses like Gulf War Illness and Agent Orange. He worked to reform the Veterans Affairs healthcare system. Rockefeller became the state's senior U.S. senator when the long-serving Senator Robert Byrd died in June 2010. He did not seek...