West Virginia Health Care Authority Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Justice Names 5 to Reconstituted Health Care Authority

Gov. Jim Justice named five members to the newly reconstituted West Virginia Health Care Authority, which a new law places under the Department of Health and Human Resources.

According to the governor’s office, the authority’s role is to protect the health and well-being of West Virginians and to ensure access to cost-effective, high-quality health care.

Justice said the five all have knowledge of the industry.

All were appointed to five-year terms.

They are Martha Yeager Walker, of Charleston, who will chair the board.

Others are Darrell Cummings, of Wheeling; Charlene Ferrell, of Huntington; Robert Gray, of South Charleston; and Samuel Kapourales, of Williamson.

State Approves Merger of Two Huntington Hospitals

The West Virginia attorney general has approved the merger of two hospitals in Huntington.

Local news outlets report that West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey signed off on the merger of Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center on Wednesday.

Morrisey concurred with the West Virginia Health Care Authority’s decision to approve the merger.

The state legislature had passed a law earlier this year exempting the hospital merger from state and federal antitrust laws if the agency approved the merger.

Officials from Cabell Huntington and St. Mary’s applauded the agency’s decision.

State Approves Reynolds Memorial Hospital Acquisition

The West Virginia Health Care Authority has approved West Virginia United Health System’s $15 million acquisition of Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale.

The Intelligencer reports Reynolds officials announced in February that a letter of intent had been issued to join the Morgantown-based health system. The hospital and the health system signed a management agreement that took effect Feb. 26.

Now, the acquisition is approved.

Reynolds CEO Dr. Davis Hess says the change will ensure the health of the community and of the 90-bed acute care facility.

The West Virginia United Health System, anchored by Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, is a statewide health system including seven hospitals with 1,450 licensed beds, 12,000 employees, 900 active medical staff and 18 related organizations.

Legislators Defend Cabell-Huntington St. Mary's Merger

Cabell Huntington Hospital wants to buy St. Mary’s Medical Center. The Herald-Dispatch reports that the West Virginia Health Care Authority has granted a certificate of need, meaning the authority deems the combination of the two Huntington hospitals is needed and consistent with the state’s health care goals.
The two hospitals separately are the largest employers in Huntington, with nearly 5,000 employees between them. They are also each among the top ten largest employers in the state.

But the Federal Trade Commission has blocked the acquisition, citing concerns that the merger would create a medical monopoly, raising prices and lowering care quality.

West Virginia lawmakers disagree, saying the merger benefits West Virginians. They’ve passed legislation aimed at bringing consumer regulation back into state hands. That bill now sits on Governor Tomblin’s desk. Appalachia Health News’ Kara Lofton sat down with Senator Robert Plymale and Brian Gallagher, counsel for Marshall Health, to discuss what the merger might mean for West Virginia.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

Wheeling Hospital Seeks State's Ok to Replace Care Center

Wheeling Hospital plans to replace its continuous care center with a new $22 million facility.

The hospital has filed a notice of intent with the West Virginia Health Care Authority that it plans to seek a certificate of need for the project.

Hospital spokesman Gregg Warren tells The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register that the notice is the first required step in the process.

Warren says details of the project would be released if it is approved and the hospital decides to move forward.

The hospital plans to renovate the existing Bishop Joseph H. Hodges Continuous Care Center for other purposes.

W.Va. Authority Approves Rate Increases for Five Hospitals

Five hospitals have received state approval to raise their rates.

The rate increases approved by the West Virginia Health Care Authority apply to nongovernmental patients paying with private insurance or out-out-pocket.

The Charleston Gazette reports that Logan Regional Medical Center’s average rate will increase from $21,512 to $22,587.

Williamson Memorial Hospital’s average rate will rise from $11,759 to $12,229.

The average rate at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center will increase from $13,486 to $14,320.

United Hospital Center received permission to increase its average rate from $21,133 to $21,916.

Raleigh General Hospital’s average rate will increase from $23,333 to $24,476.