AGP Executive Report

Rural Eye Care: West Virginia is investing $2 million in a statewide teleophthalmology network, bringing screenings closer to home and targeting 14 counties without a local eye doctor. Community Health: Nearly $2.2 million will help community health centers improve care coordination and modernize clinics serving rural residents. Recovery Support: More than $1.7 million will fund job training and return-to-work services for West Virginians recovering from substance use disorder. Rehabilitation: Vandalia Health and Mary Free Bed broke ground on a 50-bed rehabilitation hospital in Charleston, with care expected to begin in 2029. Family Support: The Tri-Share child care program is now open to employers and families in all 55 counties, splitting costs among employers, workers and the state. Screening Access: Bonnie’s Bus will offer 3D mammograms at sites across seven counties in November, with assistance available for eligible uninsured women.**

Rehabilitation: Vandalia Health and Mary Free Bed broke ground on a three-story Charleston rehabilitation hospital with 50 inpatient beds and outpatient services. It’s expected to open in 2029. Community Care: West Virginia is directing more than $2.1 million to community health centers for technology upgrades and better care coordination, while a separate $1.7 million in federal funding will help people recovering from substance use disorder return to work. Addiction Support: Huntington approved its four-year, $12 million HARBOR initiative, bringing health providers and community groups together to address addiction, homelessness and behavioral health needs. Maternal Health: WVU Medicine’s Golisano Children’s Hospital is the launch site for HHS newborn kits that include postpartum supplies and blood pressure monitors for mothers. Screening Access: Bonnie’s Bus will bring 3D mammograms to seven counties in November, with assistance available for eligible uninsured women. Coal Health Risks: The Trump administration has halted enforcement of new coal-mine dust rules as black lung cases surge in Appalachia.

Rural Care: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced nearly $2.2 million for West Virginia community health centers. The largest award will help build a care-coordination and data network starting with 16 organizations serving 40 counties. Prevention: West Virginia is one of two states where adult obesity rates fell significantly from 2024 to 2025, according to Trust for America’s Health; researchers are examining why. Mobile screening is also heading to rural communities: Bonnie’s Bus offers mammograms Nov. 3–7, while LUCAS provides lung cancer scans Nov. 3–6. Coverage: ACA plan selections in West Virginia fell 17% from last year, with 11,234 of 67,113 enrollees dropping coverage. The state also has the nation’s highest reported monthly premiums, at $1,314. Maternal Health: A new federal NEST program is bringing free newborn and postpartum supply kits to 2,000 West Virginia families. Black Lung: As the disease surges in Appalachia, the Trump administration has halted enforcement of new coal-mine dust rules.

Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s mobile LUCAS unit will offer lung cancer scans Nov. 3–6 in Paw Paw, Parsons, Terra Alta and Kingwood. Uninsured West Virginians who meet the criteria may qualify for grant-funded screening; a physician’s order is required. A state program also offers free or low-cost breast and cervical screenings for eligible residents. Behavioral Health: West Virginia is seeking outside operators for the state-owned Bateman and Sharpe psychiatric hospitals, with the goal of improving operations and treatment outcomes. Maternal and Infant Health: West Virginia is first in the national NEST expansion, with about 2,000 kits of newborn and postpartum supplies and health guidance planned for families. Health Infrastructure: A state grant of $855,400 will expand secure health-data sharing through WVHIN to help providers coordinate care. Occupational Health: Black lung disease is rising across Appalachia as the federal rollout of stricter coal-mine dust rules is paused, renewing concern for West Virginia miners. Rural Care: Hawse Health says unreliable electronic records complicate the use of AI tools, highlighting technology barriers for rural clinics.

Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile unit is bringing lung cancer scans to rural counties, with grant-funded screenings available to eligible uninsured residents. Preventive Care: West Virginia’s breast and cervical screening program offers free or low-cost exams, mammograms and Pap tests, plus help with follow-up care. Medicaid Access: Highmark’s new digital platform aims to help 20,000 members manage upcoming work requirements; its CEO warns eligible people may still lose coverage temporarily. Family Support: A Parkersburg mother is launching a statewide hospital sensory-kit initiative for patients with disabilities whose caregivers are suddenly hospitalized. Children’s Welfare: West Virginia has the nation’s highest foster-care rate, with more than 5,000 children awaiting homes; a service provider links many cases to substance use and says teens are especially underserved. Health Infrastructure: The state awarded $855,400 to expand secure health-data sharing and help providers coordinate care.

Nutrition Access: West Virginia is renewing its Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, offering eligible low-income seniors $30 vouchers for locally grown fruits and vegetables. Vouchers become available June 1 through county senior centers. Food Security: Mountaineer Food Bank plans to move its volunteer center to Charleston’s West Side after taking over renovation of a former Save-A-Lot. It will work with residents to shape future services at the site. Black Lung: As black lung cases rise across Appalachia, the Trump administration has paused enforcement of new coal-mine dust rules intended to reduce miners’ exposure. Maternal and Infant Health: West Virginia is the first state in a new phase of the federal NEST program, with about 2,000 kits planned for families. Kits include newborn and postpartum supplies, a blood-pressure monitor and health information. Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s mobile LUCAS unit will offer lung cancer screenings in Paw Paw, Parsons, Terra Alta and Kingwood Nov. 3–6. Eligible uninsured West Virginians may qualify for grant-funded scans; appointments and insurance authorization are required.

Maternal and Infant Health: West Virginia is first to receive the expanded federal NEST program, with about 2,000 newborn and postpartum kits planned. Kits include diapers, breastfeeding and recovery supplies, a blood pressure monitor, and health guidance, with rural communities a priority. Nutrition and Prevention: The state won a federal grant to upgrade WIC clinics, supporting access to nutrition services. Behavioral Health: West Virginia providers are seeking higher Medicaid rates, a key issue for sustaining care across the state. Community Care: Charleston’s annual free health care day returns Oct. 17, with organizers expecting strong demand. Emerging Health Risks: West Virginia is tracking an increase in meat allergy linked to lone star ticks.

Maternal and Infant Health: West Virginia is the first state in the expanded NEST program, with about 2,000 kits planned for families. Each includes newborn and postpartum supplies, a blood-pressure monitor and health resources. Disease Watch: Monongalia County is investigating 16 confirmed salmonella cases near Morgantown; several people have been hospitalized, and the source is unknown. Screening and Nutrition: Beckley ARH is offering $50 mammograms, a mobile mammography unit is scheduled for Pleasants County in December, and lung cancer screenings are coming to Terra Alta and Kingwood. West Virginia also received a federal grant to upgrade WIC clinics. Behavioral Health: State providers are seeking higher Medicaid rates, a change that could affect access to care. Hospital Care: A $50 million rehabilitation hospital is under construction in Charleston through a partnership between Vandalia Health and Mary Free Bed. Vaccine Policy: The West Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments in a challenge to school vaccine requirements.

Newborn Support: West Virginia is the first state to launch the federal NEST program, which plans to deliver about 2,000 kits with baby and postpartum supplies, health information and a blood-pressure monitor to families. Breast Cancer Screening: Beckley ARH is offering $50 mammograms through October, with no insurance or doctor’s order required. Drug Price Settlement: A coalition of 45 states and territories is seeking court approval of settlements over alleged generic-drug price fixing. West Virginians who bought generic prescriptions from May 2009 to December 2019 may qualify for compensation. Rural Mental Health: Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill of Barbour Community Health Association received a statewide award recognizing her work in school-based behavioral health and integrated care. Local Health Services: West Virginia received a federal grant to upgrade WIC clinics, while a new rehabilitation hospital has broken ground in Charleston.

Behavioral Health: Dr. Casey Jo Cottrill of Barbour Community Health Association won a statewide award for her work expanding school-based behavioral health and integrated care in rural communities. Hospital Care: WVU Medicine marked 10 years at Reynolds Memorial Hospital, where staffing has more than doubled and annual wages have tripled since the acquisition. New Families: West Virginia is first to receive federal NEST newborn kits, with about 2,000 planned for families. Kits include postpartum and breastfeeding supplies, a blood-pressure monitor and infant-care information. Cancer Screening: Beckley ARH is offering $50 mammograms through October, with no insurance or doctor’s order required. WVU Medicine’s mobile lung-screening unit will visit Terra Alta and Kingwood on Nov. 5 and 6; eligible uninsured residents may qualify for grant-funded scans. WIC Services: A $195,825 federal grant will help state WIC clinics add quick, needle-free hemoglobin screening for families.

Measles Watch: The CDC counted 4,080 U.S. cases as of Oct. 8, with West Virginia among 47 jurisdictions reporting cases. About 10% of cases have led to hospitalization. Food Access: A report says roughly 24,000 West Virginians, including 8,000 children, have lost SNAP benefits since last summer, adding pressure on food banks. Mobile Mammography: Bonnie’s Bus will offer breast cancer screenings in St. Marys on Dec. 11; appointments are required, and financial help may be available for uninsured or underinsured patients. Cancer Research: Bluefield State professor Yi Charlie Chen received $370,000 to study potential targeted treatments for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. Drug Costs: A multistate settlement over alleged generic-drug price fixing could provide compensation to eligible consumers who bought certain prescriptions between May 2009 and December 2019.

Salmonella Investigation: Monongalia County is investigating 16 confirmed cases, with several people hospitalized and no source identified yet. Charleston Care: A free walk-in health clinic is planned for Oct. 17, with organizers expecting increased demand. Behavioral Health: West Virginia providers are seeking higher Medicaid rates, saying current reimbursement affects their ability to deliver care. New Rehabilitation Hospital: Vandalia Health and Mary Free Bed have broken ground on a $50 million Charleston facility. Drug Price Compensation: People who bought certain generic prescriptions from May 2009 through December 2019 may qualify for settlement money; check eligibility at AGGenericDrugs.com.

Reproductive Health: WV Free’s “Repro Road Trip” will visit seven West Virginia cities Oct. 14–Nov. 20, offering health resources and community connections amid maternity-care shortages and state abortion restrictions. Hospital Oversight: The state appeals court dismissed CAMC’s challenge over Thomas Memorial’s Hurricane facility, leaving the agency’s finding in place but not deciding whether a certificate of need was required. Flu Prevention: WVU is urging fall vaccinations, with Mountaineer mascot Reese Allen set to get his shot Oct. 14. Public Health: Monongalia County is investigating 16 confirmed Salmonella cases near Morgantown; several people have been hospitalized, and officials have not identified a source. Specialized Care: Construction has begun on a Charleston rehabilitation hospital intended to expand in-state care for people recovering from serious injuries and illnesses. Behavioral Health: West Virginia providers are seeking higher Medicaid rates, a move that could affect access to mental health and addiction services.

Medicaid Access: West Virginia behavioral health providers are urging lawmakers to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates, warning that an estimated 40,000 residents could lose coverage under HR 1 and still need care. Salmonella Investigation: Monongalia County is investigating 16 confirmed cases, with several people hospitalized and no source identified. Vaccine Challenge: The state Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit over compulsory school vaccinations. Addiction Care: Huntington is among eight communities sharing $96 million in federal funds to expand addiction treatment for people experiencing homelessness; a former Philippi motel has also reopened as a long-term recovery facility. Rural Health: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced more than $8 million in rural health grants, as separate funding moves forward amid concerns about hospital closures. Clean Water: A report found low-income West Virginia households spend an average of 11% of their income on water bills, while a Hampshire County project is nearing completion to bring safer water to homes with contaminated wells.

Student Wellness: WVU experts warn that sports betting can reinforce risky behavior in college students, with gambling’s reward effects compared to substance use. Cancer Research: Bluefield State biology professor Yi Charlie Chen received a $370,000 grant to study targeted treatments for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. Water Affordability: A national report finds West Virginia among the states where water bills have risen roughly twice as fast as incomes; low-income households spend an average 11% of income on water. Black Lung: West Virginia miners and health professionals joined advocates in Washington to seek stronger benefits and protections, including limits on silica dust exposure. Medicaid Access: A policy analysis warns new eligibility rules could put as many as 75,000 West Virginians at risk of losing coverage, amid high medical debt and concerns about access to care. Vaccination Rules: The state Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in a challenge to West Virginia’s school vaccine requirements, while allowing Gov. Patrick Morrisey to intervene. Behavioral Health: NAMI West Virginia’s statewide listening tour highlighted transportation as a widespread barrier to getting mental health and addiction care.

School Vaccine Fight: West Virginia Supreme Court consolidated two challenges to the state’s compulsory school-age vaccine law and signaled it could hear oral arguments next month or early next year, with Gov. Patrick Morrisey allowed to participate. Hospital Security: Appalachian Regional Healthcare rolled out walk-through security scanners at Beckley ARH Hospital and Summers County ARH Hospital to better detect weapons before patients enter. Medicaid Navigation: Highmark Health Options West Virginia introduced Fortuna to help members manage Medicaid renewal changes and avoid coverage gaps starting Jan. 1, 2027. Behavioral Health Access: Huntington received a $3 million federal SAMHSA grant to strengthen its HARBOR initiative, aiming to coordinate housing, treatment, outreach, and reengagement for people cycling between streets, ERs, shelters, and jail. Addiction Treatment Expansion: Arch Recovery Center converted the former Mountaineer Inn in Philippi into a long-term rehab facility for men after demand outgrew its short-term program. Food Insecurity Help: Mountaineer Food Bank won City Council approval to open a Charleston volunteer center in a former Save a Lot building. Public Health Alerts: A rabid bat was confirmed in Ohio County, prompting warnings to avoid wildlife and keep pets vaccinated.