CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Today, February 8, 2022, Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced $899,990 from the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 telehealth program to four West Virginia healthcare providers to expand telehealth services to expand.
Funds will be used to purchase laptops and video conferencing software, improve network security and expand telehealth services to address mental health needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will also help provide routine care for those whose access to transportation has been limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Distinguished healthcare services include:
- $493,888 – Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington
- $169,383 – Bluestone Health Association of Princeton
- $166,050 – Prestera Center for Mental Health Services in Huntington
- $70,669 – Potomac Valley Hospital in Keyser
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for flexibility to ensure patients continue to have access to quality and affordable healthcare. Ensuring that West Virginians in rural communities have access to quality telemedicine options—including audio-only telemedicine appointments—to care for our fellow West Virginians is critical. This funding to expand telehealth services in Huntington, Princeton and Keyser is great news for these communities and the healthcare providers who are working on tight budgets and continue to provide quality healthcare remotely. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I will continue to fight to ensure rural providers receive their fair share of federal funding so they can continue to serve West Virginians throughout the Mountain State,” Senator Manchin said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for affordable, reliable broadband access. This was especially true for healthcare providers and patients in West Virginia who rely on telemedicine for vital medical services, and I hear about that a lot as I peruse my contributions to the Capito Connect Stories initiative. For these and other reasons, I have consistently advocated a permanent expansion of telemedicine services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am very pleased to announce this funding today, and I will continue to advocate for the resources we need to continue connecting our communities with life-saving telemedicine resources,” said Senator Capito.
