West Virginia Press Association
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA) on Dec. 11 expressed profound gratitude to Governor Jim Justice and members of the West Virginia Legislature for approving a critical $40 million grant program designed to support and sustain rural hospitals across the Mountain State. Governor Justice, on Dec. 10, announced the distribution of funding associated with the Rural Hospital Grant program which was approved by the Legislature in October. The ceremony was at Boone Memorial Health with legislators and representatives of the awarded hospitals in attendance.
“This transformative funding represents a significant commitment to supporting and improving health care access in West Virginia’s most vulnerable communities, providing much-needed financial support to hospitals that serve some of the state’s most remote and economically challenged communities,” said Jim Kaufman President and CEO of the WVHA. “We appreciate the Governor and Legislature’s continued commitment to hospitals which are the backbone of their communities. Furthermore, as the Governor always says we need to pull the rope together and this is a perfect example of that joint effort.”
The state commitment of $40 million will help seed a total of $85 million that the hospitals are currently investing to support access and infrastructure needs in their communities. The state commitment and the dollars invested by the hospitals will have a significant impact not only in improving access but supporting jobs and expanding economic opportunity in communities throughout West Virginia. Hospitals awarded the grants include:
- Minnie Hamilton Health Systems
- Greenbrier Valley Medical Center
- Rivers Health
- Boone Memorial Hospital
- Roane General Hospital
- Pocahontas Memorial Hospital
- Preston Memorial Hospital
- Summers County ARH Hospital
Kaufman added, “These facilities are the cornerstones of their communities, and this investment will help ensure that West Virginians continue to have access to critical medical services, regardless of where they live. Governor Justice and state legislators have demonstrated exceptional leadership by recognizing the unique challenges faced by rural health care providers. This funding will have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of thousands of West Virginians who rely on these essential medical facilities.”
