Mountain State Times

The Department of Health Facilities (DHF) continued its statewide tour of facilities for lawmakers in May, with a visit to Jackie Withrow Hospital in Beckley on Tuesday. This visit followed the hospital’s recent four-star designation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recognizing its quality care above the national average.

Local lawmakers and House members of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability (LOCHHRA) participated in the visit. Attendees included commission Chair Del. Amy Summers, Del. Heather Tully, Del. Bob Fehrenbacher, Del. Ric Griffith, Del. Eric Brooks, Del. Christopher Toney, and Del. Michael Hite.

“We were delighted to welcome so many lawmakers to our facility,” said DHF Cabinet Secretary Michael J. Caruso. “We also had the opportunity to sit down for a frank and fruitful discussion on the challenges faced by our facilities. I look forward to our continued cooperation as we work to advance the important work going on in our state-run hospitals.”

The commission's tour was part of several scheduled visits hosted by DHF Cabinet Secretary Michael J. Caruso to evaluate state facilities and identify areas where department leaders can collaborate with lawmakers to enhance patient care.

“It was very exciting to see such wonderful staff taking care of our people,” said Del. Summers following the visit. “Secretary Caruso, from the moment he was hired, has worked together really well to look at the direction of our state facilities, our state employees, and what’s best for West Virginia.”

To date, LOCCHRA members have visited Mildred-Mitchell Bateman Hospital in Huntington and William R. Sharpe Jr., Hospital in Weston as part of the tour.

More about Jackie Withrow Hospital

Jackie Withrow Hospital serves Medicaid-eligible West Virginia residents who qualify for long-term care nursing home placement, typically presenting with comorbidities of chronic physical and mental health conditions. The hospital’s mission is to promote a safe and healthy living environment by providing quality service that meets residents' physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs cost-effectively.