Health Care

Rural Health

Access to quality, affordable health care is a particular challenge in rural states like West Virginia as there are fewer health care providers and transportation is often difficult. To combat this problem, Senator Rockefeller has led the efforts to recruit and retain nurses in rural areas, and he has supported student loan forgiveness programs for doctors who practice at rural health care clinics.

Senator Rockefeller has also worked in the Senate to address the problems facing rural hospitals. His Rural Health Care Improvement Act would overturn current law which provides less money to rural hospitals than it does to more urban medical centers. The difference in payments is harmful to rural hospitals and jeopardizes patient care and access to health care.

Additionally, Senator Rockefeller recently announced an $8.4 million grant to the West Virginia Telehealth Alliance to establish a statewide broadband network to provide telehealth services. This will be extremely beneficial for rural residents as patients will be able to access critically-needed medical specialists in a variety of practices - including cardiology, pediatrics and radiology - without leaving their homes or communities.