SENATE RESOLUTION 28

(By Senators Takubo, Plymale, Stollings, Baldwin, Jeffries, Hamilton, Lindsay, and Roberts)

[Introduced February 15, 2022]

Designating February 16, 2022, as West Virginia Rural Health Workforce Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, The mission of the West Virginia Rural Health Association is to unite people, communities, and organizations to strengthen rural health in West Virginia by empowering all West Virginians to advance their quality of life, well-being, and access to excellence in rural health care; and 

Whereas, West Virginia is one of the most rural states in America; and 

Whereas, Based on the prevailing Office of Management and Budget and Census Bureau definitions, about two thirds (64%) of the hard-working individuals in West Virginia live in rural communities; and 

Whereas, West Virginia’s rural health facilities have remained essential to West Virginia’s efforts at responding to the unprecedented challenges emerging from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; and 

Whereas, West Virginia Rural Health Workforce Day was established to emphasize the importance of rural hospitals, community health centers, county health departments, local free clinics, hospice care agencies, emergency medical service providers, and other health care providers. Their obligation is to serve the most rural areas of West Virginia and to recognize the efforts and contributions of these entities to address the unique challenges in rural health care; therefore, be it: 

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates February 16, 2022, as West Virginia Rural Health Workforce Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate acknowledges the substantial efforts of these rural health care providers to overcome the barriers faced by West Virginians. Health care providers have worked hard during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to improve patient outcomes, patient experience, and to decrease the costs of care; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Rural Health Association.