MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, traveled to Morgantown, W.Va. to deliver keynote remarks at the seventh annual Focus Forward conference: Long Live West Virginia.
During her remarks, Senator Capito discussed the intersection of health, wellness, and economic mobility, as well as provided an update on some of the legislative solutions she has worked on in the United States Senate to improve health outcomes for West Virginians. After her remarks, Jon Retzlaff, Chief Policy Officer of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) presented Senator Capito with AACR’s 2025 Distinguished Public Service Award.
“The health and wellbeing of West Virginians is directly tied to the strength of our economy and the resilience of our people. As a United States Senator and as someone who has spent years working on health and economic issues—particularly in rural areas like West Virginia—I know just how interconnected these challenges are. We cannot talk about economic mobility without talking about health, we cannot promote wellness without looking at access to care, and we cannot plan for the future without acknowledging that Americans are living longer – often with more complex health needs. I was glad to share this message during the Focus Forward Conference and continue working together to improve health care opportunities so all West Virginians have a fair shot at a healthy, productive life,” Senator Capito said.
“We are honored that Senator Capito could join our seventh annual Focus Forward conference, a broad-based convening of leaders to better understand an emerging issue that will impact West Virginia's workforce and economy,” Jen Giovannitti, President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, said. “As a leading champion in supporting legislation and policy on health, aging, neuroscience, cancer research and caregiving, her voice and impact at the federal and state level are critical as we navigate the future opportunities and challenges of how increasing life expectancies will impact our society, work, economy and everyday lives. We are grateful for her continued engagement at this event, as well as her leadership and time today.”
Photos from today’s visit are below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks at the Focus Forward conference in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) receives the Distinguished Public Service Award from Jon Retzlaff of the American Association of Cancer Research in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) at the Focus Forward conference in Morgantown, W.Va. on Tuesday April 22, 2025.
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