CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as the Co-Chairman of the Senate Broadband Caucus, today applauded the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and their support for telehealth initiatives in West Virginia. Over the past three months, the FCC has approved several telehealth applications from entities in West Virginia totaling more than $3 million to help increase telehealth capabilities and coverage, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Capito released individual statements for each application approval and a complete list of approved applicants and award details are listed below.

“Telehealth is an essential aspect in the future of health care, especially in rural communities like many here in West Virginia,” said Senator Capito. “Providing specialized medical services directly to the people of our state will help our residents overcome so many barriers set by both travel restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been a long-time advocate of expanding telehealth services in rural America, and I am thankful that the FCC—particularly Chairman Pai and Commissioner Carr—have listened to my concerns and provided support for our telehealth initiatives in West Virginia. We must continue to expand broadband services throughout the Appalachian region, and work to connect West Virginians to the resources they need to live safe and healthy lives.”

"Senator Capito's leadership secured the federal funding that patients across West Virginia are now benefiting from. Her work in the Senate to support telehealth helped our health care heroes deliver for their communities during this COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Capito as she advances policies that expand access to high-quality, affordable care,” said FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr.

 

The following telehealth providers in West Virginia received application approval through the FCC: 

 

  • Wirt County Telehealth Services: On May 13, 2020, Wirt County Telehealth Services received $274,432 in support of telehealth services for West Virginia residents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This funding from the FCC will allow health care professionals to provide services remotely to COVID-19 positive patients. The services provided will include primary care, behavior health, and dental services.

 

  • Lincoln County Primary Care: On May 20, 2020, Lincoln County Primary Care received in support of telehealth services for West Virginia residents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This funding from the FCC supports remote professional health services to patients, including primary care, behavior health, and dental services.

 

  • West Virginia United Health System: On June 17, 2020, West Virginia United Health System received a $780,899 grant to support telehealth services. This funding from the FCC will provide upgrades to West Virginia United Health System’s internet network and create improvements to their telehealth services and virtual visit capabilities.

 

  • Monongalia County General Hospital (Mon General): On June 24, 2020, Mon General received a $283,396 grant to support telehealth services in West Virginia. This funding from the FCC will implement a telehealth platform at Mon General that will help provide the full spectrum of telehealth visits for patients, including COVID-19 screening and diagnosis, medication management, chronic disease management, and behavioral health visits.

 

  • Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC): On July 8, 2020, CAMC received a $781,964 grant to support telehealth services in West Virginia. This funding from the FCC will increase the foundation for telehealth services at CAMC, providing expanded health services and telehealth capabilities in the Kanawha Valley region.

 

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, as well as the Co-Chairman of the Senate Broadband Caucus, Senator Capito is the leading force in expanding telehealth providers in West Virginia. Senator Capito has worked with the FCC on the issue, including hosting FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr in West Virginia last summer for a series of visits focused on telehealth and broadband access. Most recently, Senator Capito and Commissioner Carr penned an op-ed for the Charleston Gazette-Mail where they highlighted the FCC’s new telehealth initiative and how it has strengthened the federal government’s COVID-19 response. Click here to read their op-ed.

 

Additionally, Senator Capito joined a bipartisan letter that aims to ensure telehealth services beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth not only provides top-of-the-line care that abides with distancing regulations, but it also provides accessible and professional forms of healthcare for West Virginians living in rural, hard-to-reach communities. Senator Capito has also advocated for this issue during committee hearings, including during a recent Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on oversight of the FCC where she questioned officials on broadband connectivity and the future of telehealth in West Virginia.

 

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