SENATE RESOLUTION 43
(By Senator Takubo)
[Introduced March 31, 2025]
Designating April 1, 2025, as Rural Health Day at the Legislature.
Whereas, The mission of the West Virginia Rural Health Association is to unite people, communities, and organizations to strengthen rural health in West Virginia by empowering all West Virginians to advance their quality of life, well-being, and access to excellence in rural health care; and
Whereas, West Virginia is one of the most rural states in America; and
Whereas, Based on the prevailing Office of Management and Budget and Census Bureau definitions, about two thirds (64 percent) of the hard-working individuals in West Virginia live in rural communities; and
Whereas, West Virginia’s rural health facilities have remained essential to West Virginia’s healthcare system; and
Whereas, Rural Health Day was established to emphasize the importance of rural hospitals, community health centers, county health departments, local free clinics, hospice care agencies, emergency medical service providers, and other health care providers. Their obligation is to serve the most rural areas of West Virginia and to recognize the efforts and contributions of these entities to address the unique challenges in rural health care; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby designates April 1, 2025, as Rural Health Day at the Legislature; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate acknowledges the substantial efforts of these rural health care providers to overcome the healthcare barriers faced by West Virginians. Health care providers work to improve patient outcomes, patient experience, and to decrease the costs of care; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Rural Health Association.