WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., applauded the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to approve the application of Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown for a $283,396 grant to support telehealth services in West Virginia.

This funding from the FCC will implement a telehealth platform at Mon General that will help provide the full spectrum of telehealth visits for patients, including COVID-19 screening and diagnosis, medication management, chronic disease management, and behavioral health visits.

“Increasing the amount of telehealth providers in West Virginia is a crucial step in moving our state into the future of accessible health services. I am thrilled to see this continued support from the FCC for our states healthcare providers," Capito said.

"Through my Capito Connect program, I have worked to bring federal resources to West Virginia to expand the reach of internet connectivity and broadband capabilities. Telehealth and broadband go hand-in-hand to help bridge the digital divide in the Mountain State. Bringing quality care into individual homes helps make care as accessible as possible," Capito said.

"Telehealth appointments also help limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep our at risk population safe. Services like telehealth are vital to the health of West Virginians, and I will continue to work with the FCC and our medical institutions back home to continue expansion of these services,” Capito said.

Manchin noted that healthcare providers across West Virginia "have drastically expanded telehealth services including telephone-based appointments for patients in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes necessary to stay as safe as possible during this crisis."

"On April 20th, I wrote to the FCC to advocate for the Mon Health Medical Center application for funding to provide West Virginians with telehealth services, and today the FCC approved their application," Manchin said.

"The FCC’s approval of this funding will be beneficial for Morgantown area residents and will help West Virginians receive the care they need during this health crisis. As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, I will continue to support funding to help our healthcare providers across West Virginia care for their fellow West Virginians," Manchin said.