WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVDN) — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support renovation and construction of health care and educational facilities, as well as support in the fight against opioids in West Virginia. These awards were secured through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests made by Senator Capito.
University of Charleston (UC) CDS Funding: Ranking Member Capito secured a CDS award of $1,750,000 for UC to establish a rehabilitation science and training center to address community health care and workforce needs in a two-phase project. The first phase will be for demolition and infrastructure work and the second will be the completion of the renovations for the physical therapy program.
“Establishing a rehabilitation science and training center at UC will provide students with the opportunity to learn essential health care skills right here in West Virginia. Efforts like this can make a meaningful difference in our communities, and I am looking forward to its completion,” Ranking Member Capito said.
Potomac Valley Hospital CDS Funding: Ranking Member Capito also announced a $1,100,000 CDS award for the Potomac Valley Hospital of W.Va., Inc. to construct a satellite clinic in the City of Keyser, W.Va. for specialized outpatient facility for telehealth-integrated cardiology and dermatology suites, as well as a new hyperbaric wound care specialty unit that will be the first of its kind in the region. This facility is estimated to serve over 10,000 annual in-person visits, as well as thousands of virtual appointments, and will remove the burden from patients who would otherwise have to travel to receive care.
“I am proud to have delivered resources for Potomac Valley Hospital to build this satellite site. As the telehealth industry continues to grow as a viable option for health care in West Virginia, the new cardiology and dermatology suites deliver treatment to people right in their homes,” Ranking Member Capito said. “This facility has the potential to reach the Keyser community both virtually and in-person, creating a new outlet for care that will serve thousands of West Virginians in the future.”
Shepherd University Chemistry Department CDS Funding: Ranking Member Capito also secured a $609,000 CDS award for the revitalization of the Shepherd University Chemistry Department, including the upgrade of lab and collaborative spaces, installation of additional equipment and tools like fume hoods.
“The new opportunities available with better tools and more optimized space at Shepherd’s chemistry department will help students and professors achieve more in the classroom and find success. This is great news for our students in Shepherdstown and I look forward to seeing the impact these upgrades will make,” Ranking Member Capito said.
Huntington CARA CDS Funding: Ranking Member Capito also secured a $500,000 CDS award for the Huntington Comprehensive Opioid Addiction and Recovery Approach (CARA) Program, which will aim to support an expansion of staff and program resources to better connect and coordinate multiple public health, first responder, social service, medical, and other agencies in a holistic initiative to address the disproportionate impacts of illicit opioid use in Huntington, W.Va.
“The opioid crisis has devastated far too many West Virginians, their families, and their communities across our state,” Ranking Member Capito said. “I was proud to secure this funding for Huntington CARA so we can help fight back against the drug crisis with a holistic and coordinated response. This funding will help bring local resources together and help combat the scourge of addiction.”
Minnie Hamilton Critical Access Hospital Renovation Project CDS Funding: Ranking Member Capito also secured a $339,000 CDS award for the Minnie Hamilton Critical Access Hospital Renovation Project, which will provide the resources required to renovate and update the facility, which is more than 60 years old. The new facility will match higher standards and compliance rules, allowing it to serve patients for years to come in Grantsville, W.Va.
“The Minnie Hamilton hospital has been serving Grantsville and the surrounding area for decades. With this support, the facility can continue their vital work and reach a higher standard of care,” Ranking Member Capito said.
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine CDS Funding: Ranking Member Capito also secured a $325,000 CDS award for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in Lewisburg, W.Va. to help expand the Frederic W. Smith Science Building, aiding in the school’s master plan that includes this addition and the construction of an additional building.
“WVSOM works hard helping prepare medical professionals for their careers and I was proud to secure these resources that strengthen their expansion. With this support, WVSOM can continue their mission of educating our osteopathic medicine workforce of the future,” Ranking Member Capito said.
Roane General Hospital CDS Funding: Finally, Ranking Member Capito also secured a $300,000 CDS award to the Hospital Development Co. to address multiple issues with the physical structure of the clinic at Roane General Hospital in Spencer, W.Va. This funding will be used to design, build, and furnish a new clinic to replace the old and dilapidated current facility.
“The Roane General Hospital has long served the people of our state, and I’m proud to secure the support they need to continue that tradition,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Not only will these resources be used to replace old facilities, they will help modernize the clinic with new furnishings and technologies that can allow it to serve patients even better than before.”