CHARLESTON, W.Va. (The Hinton News) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced an $855,400 award to the West Virginia Health Information Network (WVHIN) through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to strengthen West Virginia’s health data infrastructure and improve the secure exchange of health information across the state.
“Doctors and healthcare professionals need the right information at the right time to provide the best care for their patients,” Governor Morrisey said. “This investment will better connect providers across West Virginia so patients can receive more coordinated care closer to home. When we improve care and healthcare outcomes, we help more West Virginians get healthy, stay healthy, and get back to work.”
The investment supports Connected Care Grid, one of seven statewide initiatives under RHTP. The initiative is focused on better connecting patients, providers, technology, and community-based access points to create a more coordinated healthcare system.
WVHIN serves as the state’s Health Information Exchange, connecting healthcare providers and organizations through secure data sharing. As additional RHTP initiatives are implemented, WVHIN’s existing infrastructure will help providers securely exchange health information, coordinate patient care, and measure results across the healthcare system.
The investment will expand participation in the statewide health information exchange and increase the number of healthcare organizations capable of fully exchanging information across systems. That will give participating providers more timely information about their patients and improve coordination when patients receive care from different providers or facilities.
“A stronger healthcare system requires strong data infrastructure,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh. “This investment will help providers access more timely and actionable information to support better care coordination, more informed decision-making, and improved health outcomes for West Virginians.”
“The Trump Administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program is equipping states with the resources they need to strengthen rural health care and help families get better care closer to home,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Connecting providers and improving data access will strengthen care coordination and deliver better health outcomes for rural communities across the Mountain State.”
Connected Care Grid is part of West Virginia’s broader Rural Health Transformation Program strategy to improve healthcare outcomes, expand access to care, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and help more West Virginians get healthy and return to work.
Additional Rural Health Transformation Program awards will be announced as West Virginia continues implementing its statewide healthcare transformation strategy.
This press release is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the financial assistance award totaling $199,476,098.72 with 100% funded by CMS HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
