WV contributes federal health funds to breast cancer screenings, substance abuse recovery, more

The state of West Virginia will contribute millions of federal health dollars to help those in substance abuse recovery return to work, expand breast cancer screenings and more, Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office has announced recently. 

West Virginia received $199 million in federal dollars from the Rural Health Transformation Program for 2026. The five-year program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made historic cuts to healthcare and food assistance spending. 

The Rural Health Transformation program aims to “empower states to transform the existing rural healthcare infrastructure and build sustainable healthcare systems that expand access, enhance quality of care and improve outcomes for patients,” according to CMS. 

Here’s a breakdown of recent Rural Health Transformation funding announcements: 

• $1.5 million to help West Virginia residents in recovery return to work. The award includes $500,000 to the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties for RecoveryWorks Appalachia and the Work Bank program; $499,500 to the Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative; $250,000 to the Williamson Health & Wellness Center, and $237,000 to the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps. 
• $1.3 million to the WVU Cancer Institute to replace the Bonnie’s Bus mobile mammography unit, which provides cancer screenings in rural communities across West Virginia.
• $3.4 million to WVU Health to expand care for patients with chronic health conditions and help rural hospitals address staffing shortages. Of the award, $2.5 million will expand support for West Virginians living with diabetes and high blood pressure, and $900,000 will help WVU Health create a statewide pool of healthcare professionals who can be deployed to hospitals experiencing staffing shortages. 
• $500,000 to the Potomac Highlands Guild to strengthen mental health and addiction recovery services in eastern West Virginia. The project will provide new technology to help healthcare providers identify patients who need additional support, reduce paperwork and spend more time caring for those struggling with mental health challenges and addiction, Morrisey’s office said. 
• A $1.5 million to Ascension Recovery Services for a program designed to help West Virginians who have lost their jobs — or are at risk of losing them — due to substance use disorder re-enter the workforce and maintain long-term employment.
• $2,000,026 to the West Virginia University (WVU) Eye Institute to establish a statewide teleophthalmology network to bring advanced medical technology and specialized eye care to patients across West Virginia.

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Courtesy of West Virginia Watch