January 26, 2022

Manchin Visits Kanawha-Charleston, Urges HHS Secretary Becerra To Allocate COVID-19 Treatments to Vulnerable States

Senator Manchin also visited the West Virginia Capitol to talk with members of the West Virginia Legislature

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) visited the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department to discuss the need for additional COVID-19 treatments to help combat the Omicron variant. Senator Manchin then called U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to urge him to allocate these COVID-19 treatments to vulnerable populations, such as West Virginia.

“West Virginia is working overtime to contain the Omicron surge, but we need the help and support of our federal partners. Today I visited the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department to see firsthand the need for COVID-19 treatments, like monoclonal antibodies, to help our brave healthcare providers care for our fellow West Virginians with COVID-19. After my visit, I called HHS Secretary Becerra to urge him to allocate these treatments to vulnerable states like West Virginia. These treatments are essential to helping West Virginians dealing with COVID-19, and I will continue to push HHS and the Biden Administration to allocate these vital treatments to communities that need them the most,” said Senator Manchin.

Two weeks ago, Senator Manchin called on HHS to reallocate these COVID-19 treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, to vulnerable populations. This week, West Virginia received 3,104 COVID-19 treatments. 

Senator Manchin also visited the West Virginia Capitol to talk with members of the West Virginia Legislature.

“Today I visited the West Virginia Legislature to talk with West Virginians and members of the West Virginia Legislature to hear their commonsense thoughts and ideas on how we can make West Virginia, and the United States, work better,” Senator Manchin said. “I am proud and honored to represent our great state and the hardworking West Virginians who are dedicated to making our state the best it can be.”

Photos of Senator Manchin’s visit to the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department can be found here. 

Photos of Senator Manchin’s visit to the West Virginia Capitol can be found here.