Improving Health Care Access In Rural Communities, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, a $1 million initiative through the Rural Health Transformation Program aims to help rural EMS agencies expand access to health care in rural and underserved areas of West Virginia. It focuses on connecting patients with care earlier – before chronic illnesses become acute. Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh talked with Assistant News Director Maria Young to explain how the program is designed to work – and who it will focus on first.

Also, a federal judge has blocked West Virginia’s ban on buying soda with federal benefits.

And, on the 10th anniversary of the devastating and deadly flood that hit West Virginia in 2016, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced West Virginia will receive nearly $4 million for flood mitigation. 

Finally, the U.S. Department of Justice has announced charges involving health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes against 455 defendants nationwide – including some in West Virginia.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Maria Young produced this episode.

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