Improve Healthcare Workforce Recruitment and Retention

·         The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for WV to focus on healthcare workforce recruitment and retention. 

·         WVRHA supports initiatives to increase the number of graduates from health professions programs who choose to live and work in WV. West Virginia has a great need to recruit and retain nurses, behavioral health professionals, physicians, advanced practice providers, and allied health professionals. 

·         WVRHA supports initiatives that address the current crisis and look to the future to ensure a stable healthcare workforce for rural West Virginia.

Implement Community Paramedicine Programs throughout WV

·         WVRHA supports initiatives to improve the ability of Community Paramedicine programs to operate in WV.  Community Paramedicine helps to ensure that patients are provided care at the appropriate level, decreasing the burden on EMS agencies, Emergency Departments, and hospitals.  By ensuring appropriate triage and treatment, we decrease the amount of time our rural EMS agencies spend outside of their service area.

·         WVRHA supports Medicaid reimbursement for these services.  Community Paramedicine has shown to be a cost-saving program throughout the pilot phase.

Protect the Certificate of Need Program

·         Protect the health system in WV from for-profit, out-of-state companies by maintaining the current Certificate of Need (CON) Program.  The CON Program protects rural hospitals, hospice care agencies, and skilled nursing facilities from out-of-state entities.  West Virginia has been fortunate to avoid widespread rural hospital closures; the CON Program plays a role in ensuring the appropriate services are able to flourish in our rural communities.

Protect Strong Childhood and Employer Required Immunization Policies

·         WV has one of the most robust childhood immunization policies in the country.

·         WV has had no cases of measles since 2009.

·         Strong vaccine requirements maintain community immunity.  Community immunity protects people at risk of communicable diseases who cannot be vaccinated, including seniors, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.

Support Policies and Programs that Address Diseases of Despair

·         We support policies and programs that work to prevent and treat opioid use disorder.  WVRHA supports programs that encourage individuals with OUD/SUD to enter recovery and remain in recovery. 

·         Our rural communities have seen a significant increase in opioid overdose events and deaths stemming from overdose. We support policies and programs that will prevent opioid overdose deaths in our communities.