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MANCHIN APPLAUDS FCC APPROVAL OF LINCOLN COUNTY PRIMARY CARE CENTER TELEHEALTH PROGRAM APPLICATION
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval of Lincoln County Primary Care Center’s application for $967,304 to procure telehealth carts, network hardware and software upgrades, and diagnostic equipment to provide telehealth services to West Virginians at 18 rural sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a member of the Financial Services & General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees the FCC’s budget, Senator Manchin helped support $200 million in funding for the telehealth pilot program through the CARES Act.
“Healthcare providers and patients have adjusted to new care systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including telephone-based appointments and video-based meetings between providers and patients,” said Senator Manchin. “On April 17th, I wrote to the FCC to advocate for the Lincoln County Primary Care Center application for funding to provide West Virginians with telehealth services, and today the FCC approved their application. This approval is great for Lincoln County residents and will help West Virginians receive the care they need during this pandemic. I will continue to advocate for funding to help our healthcare providers across the Mountain State so they can care for their fellow West Virginians during this crisis.”
MANCHIN: DON'T RAISE UTILITY RATES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) today applauded the actions of the West Virginia Public Service Commission to keep West Virginians connected to critical utilities and urged the Commission to not approve rate hikes for West Virginians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Manchin said in part, “I appreciate the early actions of the West Virginia Public Service Commission and the utilities that operate in the state to stop service disconnections when customers have not been able to pay their bills. In the middle of a pandemic is not the time to cut off essential services… I urge the Commission not to approve any rate hikes while we are still very much in the middle of battling the Coronavirus and have not yet begun our economic recovery. It is not the time to raise costs on customers already struggling to pay their bills. I look forward to working with you on this issue to protect West Virginians.”
MANCHIN ADVOCATES FOR ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND CHILDREN IN CRISIS AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) led Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) in advocating for the Senate to provide support for children, youth, and families in crisis or experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan group of Senators asked for dedicated funding to be included in future COVID-19 relief packages in order to meet the unique and complex needs of homeless youth and families through the programs and systems that are best positioned to help them immediately, and ensure their long-term stability. In West Virginia, over 10,500 students are identified as homeless, but that is believed to be much higher.
The Senators said in part, “Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, public schools reported a record 1.5 million children and youth experiencing homelessness, preK-12, for the most recent year reported (2017-2018). In addition, the U.S. Department of Education estimates that 1.4 million children under age six -- infants, toddlers, and preschoolers -- are experiencing homelessness. As disturbing as these numbers are, they significantly undercount the actual number of children and youth experiencing homelessness.”
MANCHIN BILL PROVIDES DEDICATED RELIEF TO WEST VIRGINIA LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to deliver critical, federal resources to states and communities on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. The State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act targets $500 billion in emergency funding to every state, county and community in the country, while prioritizing assistance to the areas with the greatest need. Unlike previously allocated emergency funding, the SMART Act includes flexible, dedicated funding to local governments to ensure it is distributed fairly and efficiently. After Senator Manchin weighed in with Senators Menendez and Cassidy, they removed the population threshold for direct federal assistance, ensuring that all counties and municipalities in West Virginia would receive a portion of these funds.
The SMART Fund answers the bipartisan call for help from our nation’s governors by providing $500 billion in flexible funding to states to help cover rising costs to combat COVID-19 and lost revenues due to the economic fallout. Without this federal assistance, governors, mayors and county leaders have warned of deep cuts to essential services and layoffs of police, firefighters, paramedics, teachers, sanitation, public health and public works employees, and other frontline workers. These funds can be used to help state and local governments meet the current demand, expand testing capacity and contact tracing, provide further assistance to residents, local hospitals, small businesses and schools, in addition to maintaining critical services residents depend upon.
“West Virginia’s cities and municipalities are facing drastic cuts in revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If Congress doesn’t act now, our local officials will be forced to make difficult choices between providing essential services like first responders and retaining their employees to balance their budgets and avoid bankruptcy. It is unacceptable to allow our small businesses or our local governments to face bankruptcy for doing the right thing during this crisis,” said Senator Manchin. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure our state and local governments can keep essential services up and running during this pandemic. I continue to hear from my friends in city and country government that the need for additional support is urgent and this bill delivers $500 billion in additional support so they are able to continue operating through this difficult time.”
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It is recommended that you seek testing only when you begin exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Click here to view the screening criteria. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. Most, if not all, sites require a physician's order before testing. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.
Click here for WV DHHR's latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases
Click here to find a testing site near you.
Any new additions or updates will be included below.
TESTING EVENTS: Save the date. Individual requirements are listed under each event.
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020
CHARLESTON
LOCATION:
First Baptist Church, 432 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston WV
HOURS: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
To make an appointment, call the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 304-348-1088.
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020
CHARLESTON
LOCATION: Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, 1701 5th Avenue, Charleston
HOURS: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
FAIRMONT
LOCATION: Windmill Park, 900 Ogden Avenue, Fairmont
HOURS:9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
HUNTINGTON
LOCATION: 16th Street Baptist Church
HOURS: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
MORGANTOWN
LOCATION: Big Lots parking lot in Westover, 902 Fairmont Rd, Morgantown, WV 26501
HOURS: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Testing will accommodate pedestrians as well as individuals in their vehicles. Tests will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis. It is strongly encouraged that anyone who arrives for testing wear a mask or face covering. Those conducting the testing will be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing will be observed.
In order to help notify individuals of their test results, all participants will need to provide their name, date of birth and a telephone number where test results may be reported. Monongalia County Health Department staff will be in contact with everyone who tests, letting them know if their results are positive or negative.
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020
CHARLESTON
LOCATION: Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, 1701 5th Avenue, Charleston
HOURS: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
FAIRMONT
LOCATION: Windmill Park, 900 Ogden Avenue, Fairmont
HOURS:9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
HUNTINGTON
LOCATION: 16th Street Baptist Church
HOURS: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Proof of insurance is not required. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
MORGANTOWN
LOCATION: WVU Coliseum parking lot, 3450 Monongahela Blvd, Morgantown, WV 26505
HOURS: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Testing will accommodate pedestrians as well as individuals in their vehicles. Tests will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis. It is strongly encouraged that anyone who arrives for testing wear a mask or face covering. Those conducting the testing will be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing will be observed.
In order to help notify individuals of their test results, all participants will need to provide their name, date of birth and a telephone number where test results may be reported. Monongalia County Health Department staff will be in contact with everyone who tests, letting them know if their results are positive or negative.
MORGANTOWN
LOCATION: Mountainview Elementary School, 661 Green Bag Road, Morgantown, WV 26508
HOURS: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Testing will accommodate pedestrians as well as individuals in their vehicles. Tests will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis. It is strongly encouraged that anyone who arrives for testing at either of the sites wear a mask or face covering. Those conducting the testing will be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing will be observed.
In order to help notify individuals of their test results, all participants will need to provide their name, date of birth and a telephone number where test results may be reported. Monongalia County Health Department staff will be in contact with everyone who tests, letting them know if their results are positive or negative.
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020
BAKER
LOCATION: Hawse Health Center beside the HCEAA building, 17978 WV-55, Baker, WV 26801
HOURS: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The tests are free of charge to everyone but if you have insurance, please bring your card(s). There is no copay or cost to the public. Even if you have no insurance, the test is still free through State sponsored payment. People are requested to remain in your cars as you progress through the line.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
MATHIAS
LOCATION: Old Mathias School Building, 56 Ruritan Dr, Mathias, WV 26812
HOURS: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The tests are free of charge to everyone but if you have insurance, please bring your card(s). There is no copay or cost to the public. Even if you have no insurance, the test is still free through State sponsored payment. People are requested to remain in your cars as you progress through the line.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
MOOREFIELD
LOCATION: Michael Building across from the Post Office, 411 Spring Ave, Moorefield, WV 26836
HOURS: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The tests are free of charge to everyone but if you have insurance, please bring your card(s). There is no copay or cost to the public. Even if you have no insurance, the test is still free through State sponsored payment. People are requested to remain in your cars as you progress through the line.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
PETERSBURG
LOCATION: Grove Street Health Center next to the Social Security Office, Petersburg, WV 26847
HOURS: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The tests are free of charge to everyone but if you have insurance, please bring your card(s). There is no copay or cost to the public. Even if you have no insurance, the test is still free through State sponsored payment. People are requested to remain in your cars as you progress through the line.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
ROMNEY
LOCATION: Old Weimer’s dealership next to the DMV building in Sunrise Summit, 22338 Northwestern Turnpike, Romney, WV 26757
HOURS: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The tests are free of charge to everyone but if you have insurance, please bring your card(s). There is no copay or cost to the public. Even if you have no insurance, the test is still free through State sponsored payment. People are requested to remain in your cars as you progress through the line.
Testing is available to all individuals, including asymptomatic individuals. Identification, such as a driver’s license or proof of address, will be required to be tested. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
NOTE: Testing will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. |