Manchin Statement on National Rural Health Day

Manchin Statement on National Rural Health Day

Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) released the following statement on National Rural Health Day.

"All West Virginians and Americans deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare, and we must continue working together to ensure rural communities get the healthcare services they deserve," said Senator Manchin. "We come together to recognize National Rural Health Day each November 21, and I remain committed to protecting access to these critical services for everyone in West Virginia, Appalachia and the United States."

Senator Manchin's recent work to expand access to rural health services includes:

• In April 2024, Senator Manchin introduced the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act. The legislation would allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in rural, mountainous areas to be able to operate ambulatory services under a special enhanced Medicare payment model.
• In June 2024, Senator Manchin led a bipartisan effort to overturn a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which imposes burdensome federal staffing mandates on nursing home and long-term care facilities that could force rural providers to close their doors.
• In May 2023, Senator Manchin reintroduced the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act, which would ensure rural and underserved community healthcare providers can permanently offer telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth appointments.
• As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Manchin secured the following Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) projects through the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill:
• • $6 million to expand Pocahontas Memorial Hospital,
  • $5 million for Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center to construct a new building,
  • $5 million to renovate Minnie Hamilton Hospital,
  • $2.2 million for Boone Memorial Hospital,
  • $700,000 for Grant County to construct a new EMS building,
  • $529,000 for Broaddus Hospital to purchase a new generator,
  • $500,000 for a new ambulance center in Roane County,
  • $400,000 for Braxton County to purchase two new ambulances.