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4 Mid-Ohio Valley health centers allotted $8M

Money part of American Rescue Plan

PARKERSBURG — Like many other designated recipients, health centers in the region are awaiting further instructions before making plans for the money allotted to them in the American Rescue Plan.

“A lot of that’s up in the air,” Minnie Hamilton Health System CEO Steve Whited said. “There’s going to be stipulations placed upon this, so once it’s awarded, we have to submit a budget.”

A federally qualified health center in Calhoun County that also serves neighboring Gilmer County, Minnie Hamilton is in line for $2.4 million from the American Rescue Plan, according to a release from the office of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. It’s part of more than $82.8 million for health centers in West Virginia from the most recent COVID-19 relief package.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, West Virginia health care providers and health centers have gone above and beyond to provide care for their fellow West Virginians,” Manchin said in the release. “This funding will help expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing and treatment through health centers, as well as help increase and improve operational capacity.”

Also receiving money from the $1.9 trillion package is the Wirt County Health Service Association Inc. ($2,664,625), Ritchie County Primary Care Association ($1,756,750) and Roane Family Health Care ($1,278,875).

Allowable uses for the money include COVID-19 vaccine administration, testing, contact tracing, purchasing personal protective equipment, expanding or sustaining the workforce, infrastructure and community outreach and education. Centers can also utilize funding to cover costs they incurred in 2020.

Whited said learning the amount Minnie Hamilton will receive was “only the beginning of the story.”

“Certainly, it will be to the benefit of the patients,” he said.

Financial assistance allows for “a sigh of relief that we have some backup here,” he said.

***

Health Center Funding:

* Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, $2,413,375

* Ritchie County Primary Care Association, $1,756,750

* Roane Family Health Care, $1,278,875

* Wirt County Health Service Association Inc., $2,664,625

Source: Sen. Joe Manchin’s office

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