MORGANTOWN, W.VA. – Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) hosted Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon Clyburn at Preston Memorial Hospital and West Virginia University (WVU) to draw attention to West Virginia’s broadband challenges and the importance of telehealth in rural states. Senator Capito invited Commissioner Clyburn to visit West Virginia as part of her #ConnectingCommunities Tour.
During a tour of Preston Memorial Hospital, Senator Capito and Commissioner Clyburn heard first-hand about the importance of robust, affordable broadband access at this small, rural hospital. In rural states like West Virginia, patients can benefit from less expensive and more convenient care options through telehealth – but only if they have access to affordable high-speed Internet.
The roundtable focused on the intersection of broadband and health. With the tools the FCC highlighted, including its Connect2HealthFCC Initiative, West Virginia communities are now in a better position to make the case for why broadband is not only imperative but urgent to improve health care access. For example, hospital employees shared the challenges they face with connectivity when trying to build new code and download electronic health records.
“The message from this event was simple: availability of high-speed Internet is critical to expanding telemedicine opportunities. Until we address the state’s lack of connectivity, West Virginians won’t be able to leverage all the advancements that are possible through telehealth, including improved access to care and lower costs,” said Senator Capito. “I appreciate Commissioner Clyburn’s willingness to join us and learn about the challenges facing our state as we work to expand broadband.”
“The challenges of providing health care, educational and economic opportunities to rural communities can be mitigated through robust broadband connectivity. My visit with Senator Capito underscored the necessity of closing the digital divide so that everyone in West Virginia can truly benefit from what has often been described as ‘the great equalizer of our time,’” said Commissioner Clyburn.
“Internet access has been a significant problem in our Fellowsville office. It was encouraging to hear that both Senator Capito and Commissioner Clyburn are invested in providing broadband access to our community. This will allow us to better care for our patients,” said Dr. Cheryl Stockett of Preston Memorial Family Care in Fellowsville.
Senator Capito and Commissioner Clyburn also met with WVU’s Health Sciences Center, and several students, professors and entrepreneurs at WVU’s Reed College of Media for a roundtable discussion about the role broadband access plays in telehealth, entrepreneurship, journalism and education.
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