Health Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

State Awards Company $5 Million To Test Medicines With Artificial Intelligence

GATC West Virginia, a health tech hub, was awarded $5 million to hire new staff. The company uses artificial intelligence to test the efficacy of new medications.

As overdose rates continue to rise nationally, a health company with West Virginia ties will soon receive $5 million in state funds to further research on substance use disorders.

GATC West Virginia — an in-state hub of the health technology company GATC Health — will use the new investment to develop medical treatments through artificial intelligence.

The company uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict how effective and safe new medicines will be, and to preemptively identify side effects.

New treatments must still be tested using clinical trials. But GATC claims using simulations can increase the likelihood of a medication’s success and expedite the development process.

Provided by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority and West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust, the new funding will allow GATC to hire tens of new employees at their location in Morgantown.

In a Friday press release, Gov. Jim Justice said the collaboration would put West Virginia at the forefront of developing health technology.

“West Virginia is leading the way in revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry and making a huge difference in medicine discovery,” Justice said. “This initiative places West Virginia on the map as a leader of innovation as we bring cutting-edge technology right to our backyard to find effective medicines.”

Constitutional Protection From Euthanasia Could Appear On Ballots This Fall

Republicans in the West Virginia House of Delegates have backed a resolution allowing residents to vote to add protection from euthanasia to the state constitution during this fall’s general election.

Republicans in the West Virginia House of Delegates are calling on their colleagues in the West Virginia Senate to place constitutional protections from euthanasia on voters’ ballots this fall.

Euthanasia, or medically assisted suicide, is already illegal in the state.

With both chambers’ support, House Joint Resolution 28 would allow residents to vote on adding protections against euthanasia to the state constitution during this fall’s general election.

But lawmakers held conflicting views on the measure at a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting Monday.

Resolution sponsor Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, was invited to speak to senators in committee, stating that the state’s stance against euthanasia is important.

“There’s this phenomenon of nihilism that’s sort of spreading across the country, and I think it’s an important issue we need to address,” McGeehan said. “To the best of my knowledge, we’ll be the first to place this and take a stand in the state constitution.”

While euthanasia prevention received some bipartisan support, pushback on aspects of the bill fell along party lines.

Republican lawmakers wanted to add language to the amendment so it could not affect capital punishment policies.

But Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, said that contradicts the purported pro-life nature of the resolution.

Woelfel said he supported the resolution generally, but that protecting capital punishment gave him pause. Other lawmakers expressed concern over outright condemning euthanasia.

Sen. Mike Caputo, D-Marion, said he became more sympathetic to legalizing euthanasia after watching his father-in-law suffer through hospice care at the end of his life.

“We was praying for him to die, that’s how much he was suffering. We was literally praying for him to die,” Caputo said. “I know that, if he could have made this decision to end it earlier, he would have done that.”

Caputo also expressed concern that the resolution would hold legal implications for medical professionals, but McGeehan said the measure would not hold legal weight beyond what is already in place in state law.

Ultimately, members of the committee voted in favor of the resolution, sending it to the Senate floor with the recommendation that it pass.

If members of the Senate approve the resolution, West Virginia voters will be able to vote on constitutional protections from euthanasia in the state general election this November.

W.Va. Ranks Among Best At Connecting Residents With Substance Use Treatment

In 2023, West Virginia ranked fourth highest in the United States for initiating and treating substance use disorder in residents with the condition. The data was collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

In 2023, West Virginia was one of the most effective states at connecting residents with substance or alcohol use disorders to treatment, according to federal health officials.

At 52.1 percent, West Virginia had the fourth highest percentage of individuals with substance or alcohol dependencies who began and received treatment last year out of 45 participating states and U.S. territories.

This data was compiled by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency that oversees federal healthcare systems. Each year, the agency aggregates data on a variety of state-level health resources and outcomes.

Treatments for substance use disorders include medication, counseling, rehabilitation services and behavioral health resources, according to a Wednesday press release from the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS).

“Our commitment to providing diverse and effective treatment options is reflected in the improved outcomes we have achieved,” said Cindy Beane, commissioner of the DoHS Bureau for Medical Services, in the press release.

“West Virginia’s commitment to providing evidence-based practices is being recognized nationally and modeled in other states,” she said.

The DoHS credits the state’s strong CMS score to an increase in substance use disorder treatments offered to West Virginia Medicaid members.

This followed the 2017 implementation of substance use disorder waivers for Medicaid users with substance dependencies, which allowed them to access free treatments.

“Overcoming a substance use disorder is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs,” said Christina Mullins, DoHS deputy secretary of mental health and substance use disorders, said in the press release.

“Like many other chronic conditions, effective treatment options are available for SUD,” she said. “While no single treatment method is right for everyone, recovery is possible, and help is available.”

As of November 2023, 34 states and the District of Columbia offered similar waivers for residents with substance use disorders.

At a press briefing Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice thanked DoHS staff for supporting substance use disorder treatments across the state. He also emphasized his ongoing investment in programs addressing substance use disorders in West Virginia.

“We’re making a dent. We’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “There are a lot of folks that are taking advantage and getting some real help, and getting their lives turned and going in the right direction.”

“We’re making a difference,” Justice continued.

Reporter Roundtable Talks Rolling Coal, Reproductive Rights, Jails, Health And More

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our weekly reporter roundtable. Randy Yohe is joined by WVPB reporter Briana Heaney and Ogden Newspapers’ State Government Reporter Steven Allen Adams to recap the week’s action.

On this episode of The Legislature Today, we have our weekly reporter roundtable. Randy Yohe is joined by WVPB reporter Briana Heaney and Ogden Newspapers’ State Government Reporter Steven Allen Adams to recap the week’s action.

In the House, there was a lengthy, heated and partisan debate over border security in a resolution to support the state of Texas. On the flipside, there was full bipartisan support for the House Speaker’s bill to help with groundbreaking, disease curing medical efforts at West Virginia University (WVU).

In the Senate, the chamber passed two rules bills – one is headed to the House for consideration, and the other is off to the governor’s desk. Another bill was held over for a day that deals with air quality. Briana Heaney has more.

Also, community and environmental groups testified Friday morning in a public hearing against House Bill 5018. The bill would limit how community air monitoring data could be used in court cases or to affect regulations. West Virginia’s industrial and mining trade groups support the bill, but most people spoke in opposition.

It was also Homeschool Day at the Capitol. With Hope Scholarship funding and a legislature and administration advocating more school choice, homeschooling is a growing endeavor – but not without some basic education and safety concerns.

Finally, for our weekly report from our high school journalists, they look at a couple bills that were of particular interest to them and to other high school and college-aged students around the state.

Having trouble viewing the video below? Click here to watch it on YouTube.

The Legislature Today is West Virginia’s only television/radio simulcast devoted to covering the state’s 60-day regular legislative session.

Watch or listen to new episodes Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Advocates Celebrate Inflation Reduction Act Anniversary

Advocates gathered in Charleston to celebrate the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act.

On the first anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), advocates held a press conference to discuss resources available to West Virginians under the law.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 helps individuals lower their health, energy and tax bills. Some initiatives in the law aim to incentivize communities, businesses and industries to adopt energy-friendly practices.

Executive Director of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, Gary Zuckett, said it is important to bring attention to the savings available to West Virginians from the IRA.

“It really has the potential to do so much good for West Virginia, and West Virginians, and the word is not really getting out,” Zuckett said. “We think that the more people find out about it and learn some of the benefits that would be coming into their communities and to their families and so forth, that they would appreciate more what this new, far-reaching federal legislation is trying to do.”

To improve health outcomes, the law includes prescription drug reform by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices and capping the cost of insulin at $35.

“For the first time, Medicare (is allowed) to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the seniors (who) so desperately need that. So many people on fixed incomes can’t afford their medications, but also reduces the copay on insulin,” Zuckett said. “It puts additional federal subsidies on the Affordable Care Act so that people can afford to get insurance so more people will be able to afford insurance. More people will be able to afford their prescription drugs, and it’ll save lives.”

According to Zuckett, on average, 23,000 West Virginians with Affordable Care Act coverage will save $1,500 a year, thanks to measures in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Ellen Allen is the director of West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. She called the IRA a historic investment into the U.S. health care system.

“Inflation reduction lowers health insurance premiums, caps the amount of money families pay for health insurance,” Allen said. “It lowers it so much that a middle-class family of four can see a reduction in yearly premiums over $18,000. Now that is meaningful, that is really meaningful. And West Virginians need to know about this, we need to talk about this and how it impacts our families on the ground.”

According to Allen, there are over 319,000 West Virginians who will benefit from Medicare being empowered to negotiate drug prices. By 2030, there will be 80 prescription drugs that Medicare will be able to price negotiate.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.

Cunningham Named Director Of PEIA

Gov. Jim Justice announced Brian Cunningham as the new director of the state’s Public Employee Insurance Agency Wednesday.

Cunningham grew up in Ivydale, West Virginia, and graduated from Clay County High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and moved to Charleston to work with community health centers.

Most recently, he served as a consultant to the West Virginia Medicaid Managed Care program and as the Director of WV PATH.

WV PATH, or People’s Access To Help aids West Virginians in signing up for state benefits.

Justice said he is confident in Cunningham’s appointment as director.

“Brian has spent his career working with community health centers and, and nonprofits, and he’s most recently, he was the director of the West Virginia PATH program, and a consultant to the Medicaid management or managed care program,” Justice said. “Naturally, I’m really excited to bring Brian on as our director of PEIA. It’s a big job.”

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.