WASHINGTON D.C. — A delegation of hospital CEOs from across West Virginia traveled to Washington, D.C., on June 24 to urge members of Congress to protect critical Medicaid funding that supports health care services in the state.
Organized by the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA), the hospital leaders met with West Virginia’s congressional delegation and key staffers to discuss the importance of sustaining robust Medicaid support. The discussions focused on ensuring that any upcoming federal budget legislation — including the proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — maintains essential funding levels for Medicaid, which provides health coverage to more than 600,000 West Virginians.
Hospital executives participating in the meetings included:
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Skip Gjolberg, president, WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital (WVHA Board chair)
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David Hess, M.D., president and CEO, WVU Medicine United Hospital Center
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Scott Raynes, president and CEO, Marshall Health Network
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Albert Wright, president and CEO, WVU Medicine – WVU Health System
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Karen Bowling, CEO, WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, and executive vice president of government affairs, WVU Medicine – WVU Health System
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Doug Bentz, CEO, Roane General Hospital
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David Ramsey, president and CEO, Vandalia Health
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Doug Harrison, CEO, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital
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Virgil Underwood, CEO, Boone Memorial Health
The hospital association said the group’s goal was to emphasize how Medicaid plays a crucial role in the state’s health care infrastructure, especially for rural hospitals and low-income communities.
