Rockefeller, Manchin Announce Federal Grants to Help West Virginians Lead Healthier Lives
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Children and adults will now have better access to needed immunizations following a $1.3 million federal grant designed to help West Virginia health officials improve their vaccination programs, Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.) announced today.
“Crucial investments in public health benefit West Virginians of all ages,” Rockefeller said. “Everyone knows prevention is the best medicine, and that’s what these vital federal funds will do. With a strengthened state healthcare infrastructure, West Virginians can lead healthier lives.”
“Making sure that all West Virginians – especially children – get their immunizations one time is one way very important way to improve health care in our state,” Senator Manchin said. “Keeping our kids healthy and prepared for school is a priority for all of us. And helping West Virginians take responsibility for their personal health not only improves our residents’ quality of life, but puts less of a strain on our health care system.”
West Virginia Health and Human Resources will use the $1,317,124 grant to improve its vaccination program. These improvements include a boost to school vaccination programs and the implementation of better record-keeping systems.
The grant is part of $137 million in federal Health and Human Services grants supported by landmark health care reform legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Obama last year. Most of the grant dollars come from the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by the legislation.
“By focusing our energies toward improving access to health care we help improve the quality of life today while also keeping health care costs from spiraling out of control tomorrow,” Rockefeller said. “This investment in our future just makes sense.”
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