The proposed bill aims to establish the Rural Mobile Health Services Program Act within the West Virginia Code, specifically under a new article designated as 16-2S-1. This program is designed to enhance access to essential health services in rural and underserved areas of the state. The Department of Health will administer the program and is authorized to award grants to eligible applicants, which may include local health departments, federally qualified health centers, nonprofit health care providers, and educational boards. The bill outlines the types of mobile health services that can be supported, such as mobile primary care clinics, mental health services, and school-based health clinics.

Additionally, the bill specifies eligible expenditures for grant funds, which can be used for the acquisition and operation of mobile health units, telehealth infrastructure, and staffing costs related to mobile or telehealth services. The Department of Health is instructed to prioritize grant applications that demonstrate collaboration among various local entities. Furthermore, the bill establishes the Rural Mobile Health Services Program fund, which the Department of Health will manage and can seek additional funding sources to support the program.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-2S-1