Telehealth, AI Technology Among Plans To Bump Rural Healthcare Access

Rural hospitals in West Virginia are getting millions of dollars to make it easier for patients to access healthcare.  

“These investments will bring care closer to people who need it while creating new pathways for West Virginians to build careers in healthcare,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Wednesday in making the first of several healthcare funding announcements. “By improving access to care and strengthening our healthcare workforce, we can help more West Virginians get healthy, return to work, and contribute to stronger communities across our state.” 

Among the projects announced Wednesday through the West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program are: 

• $92,736 to expand virtual access to care by upgrading telehealth technology and infrastructure supporting behavioral health, addiction medicine, maternal health, school-based health, and medical weight management services. 

• $574,082 to deploy a mobile healthcare unit serving Braxton, Clay, and Pocahontas counties. The unit will provide primary care, preventive services, behavioral health, addiction medicine, and care coordination. Community Care of West Virginia projects approximately 560 patient encounters during its first year. 

• $82,432 to help current healthcare employees advance their careers through certifications, licensure programs, specialized training, and educational opportunities. Approximately 26 employees are expected to participate during the first year. 

• $354,364 to establish a statewide rural healthcare apprenticeship program combining paid employment with classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. Approximately 20 apprentices are expected to participate during the first year in career pathways including medical assistants, community health workers, pharmacy technicians, case managers, and certified nursing assistants. 

• Funding to establish the Mansfield Place TeleHub Pilot at Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, expanding access to specialty care, behavioral health services, and urgent clinical consultation for rural skilled nursing residents through telemedicine technology. 

• Funds to help rural hospitals and clinics affiliated with Vandalia Health fill critical staffing shortages and strengthen long-term recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals. 

Five rural hospitals -- Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Mon Health Marion Neighborhood Hospital, Preston Memorial Hospital, Plateau Medical Center, and Webster Memorial Hospital – will each get $363,000 for AI listening devices to cut down on notetaking for healthcare providers. 

“Think about what this means for the doctors and the other healthcare providers who are using it,” Morrisey said. “Instead of spending all their time on paperwork, they could spend more time looking a patient in the eye and providing care.” 

“These awards demonstrate how investments in healthcare access and workforce development can work together to strengthen rural communities,” Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh said in a press statement. “By combining telehealth expansion, mobile healthcare services, workforce advancement, and apprenticeship opportunities, these projects create a comprehensive approach to improving healthcare access, strengthening workforce pipelines, and supporting healthier communities across West Virginia.” 

More than $4 million in awards were announced Wednesday.