August 25, 2015

Manchin Announces $200,000 for Williamson Health and Wellness Center

Funding will enhance health care services for West Virginians living with chronic conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today announced that the Williamson Health and Wellness Center will receive $200,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program to enhance physical and psychosocial (psychological and social) health care services for individuals living with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

“Coordinating health care activities to address both the physical and mental aspects of health and wellness is vital for people living with chronic conditions, especially in our rural areas where access to health care can be more challenging,” Senator Manchin said.  “With this grant funding, Williamson Health and Wellness Center will be able to provide more comprehensive health services that West Virginians need and deserve.”

The goal of the Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program is to provide more effective care for rural patients living with chronic conditions by integrating behavioral health care into primary care. The rise of chronic diseases along with the cost of health care has brought treatment of the whole person to the forefront, especially given the connection between psychosocial issues and chronic diseases; for example, there is a link between diabetes and depression. This care coordination program deliberately organizes patient care activities to meet patients’ needs and preferences and tailors treatment to the resources and challenges of rural communities.

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