West Virginia Lawmakers Push Forward Rural Health Legislation

Jan 29, 2026, 2:24 AM

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The West Virginia House of Delegates is taking significant steps to ensure ongoing funding through the Trump administration's five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Recently, the House Committee on Health and Human Resources endorsed House Bill 4740, alongside a separate bill intended to enhance health services in rural areas.

House Bill 4740 aims to give the West Virginia Department of Health the authority to utilize its purchasing division for managing federal funds, bypassing the state's standard purchasing division procedures. Although the program must still adhere to the existing purchasing rules, this change is expected to streamline operations and facilitate more effective use of the allocated funding.

In addition to the financial adjustments, the originating bill of HB 4740 mandates that physicians complete continuing education in nutrition as part of their licensing requirements. This includes two hours dedicated specifically to nutrition within the overall continuing education framework, which varies between medical doctors and osteopathic physicians.

Originally, HB 4740 also proposed that the West Virginia Department of Education include the presidential fitness test in its physical education curriculum. However, this provision has since been removed and will be addressed in a different bill, according to committee counsel.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is designed to bolster rural healthcare infrastructure and improve access to medical services. West Virginia is set to receive an estimated $199 million for the year 2026 from this initiative, which is part of a broader effort by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to address disparities in rural healthcare.

The funding from this program is particularly crucial as it comes on the heels of significant Medicaid cuts. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which encompasses this program, is projected to result in a $1 billion annual loss for West Virginia hospitals once fully implemented. The Rural Health Transformation Program is being touted as a necessary measure to mitigate the adverse effects of these cuts, which could potentially lead to the closure of numerous rural healthcare facilities.

According to state officials, the funding will be used to expand telemedicine services, tackle the shortage of healthcare workers, and enhance patient access to transportation for medical appointments through public transit and rideshare programs. Curtis Capehart, director of policy for Governor Patrick Morrisey, emphasized that West Virginia will be closely monitored over the next five years to assess the effectiveness of the program and the state's adherence to its objectives.

Both HB 4740 and its companion bill are set to be presented to the full House of Delegates for further consideration, marking a crucial step in West Virginia's efforts to improve its rural healthcare landscape. As these discussions unfold, the implications of the legislation will be closely watched by healthcare providers and communities who depend on these essential services.

In summary, this legislative push highlights the ongoing commitment to enhance healthcare delivery in rural West Virginia, amidst challenging federal funding landscapes and significant cuts to Medicaid that threaten the stability of healthcare services in these areas.

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