U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) visited the Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston Wednesday to see her congressionally directed spending in action.
The senator got an exclusive tour of the renovations being made, including a new roof, HVAC system and a fresh paving job on the facility’s parking lot.
The construction project is supported by Capito’s 2024 congressional directed spending, also known as an earmark, which she said is a necessary investment for the welfare of West Virginians.
“This is the largest hospice house in the state with 24 beds,” she said. “To modernize this, you want to make sure you got the best technology — you’ve got the best available comfort — for people in times of very difficult situations.”
Wednesday’s visit wasn’t her first. In fact, Capito’s dad, former West Virginia Governor Arch Moore Jr., was a resident at Hubbard Hospice House 15 years ago, making the project near and dear to her heart.
“In 2010, my father was here,” she said. “He actually was one of the ones that actually left, he went home, but the care they gave him here — I could take you right to where his room was — it was excellent care.”
Senator Capito went on to say that taking care of the facility and its patients is key to building a comforting environment.
“It’s really good for the family because when you get to the end-of-life kind of care, I’m a big believer in hospice. It’s important that spiritually and otherwise, you’re in the warmest and best environment,” Capito said. “Hubbard Hospice House has provided that for years.”
Chris Rawlings, CEO of Kanawha Hospice Care, said performing these upgrades on the facility was crucial to its continued service in the county.
“These renovations will allow us to continue to provide hospice services for the next 20 or 30 years in this building,” Rawlings said. “Hubbard Hospice House really has a special place in the community.”
Local contractor Pray Construction is heading the project on the 20-year-old facility, which is expected to be completed in the second week of June.