By Lori Kersey | Deputy editor
“When it was a state agency, I could get any kind of information I wanted, but now that it’s a private entity, I really don’t have any access to information.”
— West Virginia Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, on the sale of a former state hospital in his district to a private company
Hopemont Hospital in Preston County (clockwise from top left), Lakin Hospital in Mason County, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center in Marion County and Jackie Withrow Hospital in Raleigh County were sold by Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s administration for $60 million to a New York-based developer. (Photos by West Virginia Department of Health and Kristian Thacker)
Majestic Care touts progress on new long-term care hospitals; lawmakers worry about unknown location
By Amelia Ferrell Knisely
The New York-based developer now operating four long-term care hospitals in West Virginia says it is making progress on brand-new builds, while lawmakers worry that the new facilities could move elderly patients and jobs out of their communities.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey holds a press conference about the state’s foster care system on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 in Charleston, West Virginia. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Patrick Morrisey)
By Amelia Knisely
Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office says 52,000 children in West Virginia applied for the school clothing assistance program before funds ran out by Monday night.
Applications were open for seven days after the program launched July 20, which was later than expected.
NATIONAL
The owner of an insurance agency that offers Obamacare plans stands outside his storefront in Miami, Fla, in 2021. In 49 states, the number of people enrolled in Obamacare plans has declined. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
By Shalina Chatlini
In 49 states, the number of people enrolled in Obamacare plans has declined since Congress made coverage more expensive by allowing federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year.
The lone exception was New Mexico, the only state that has used its own money to fully replace the expired aid, according to a new analysis by KFF, a health policy research group.
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation’s most visible public health officials during the coronavirus pandemic, declined to answer questions from a U.S. Senate committee in a tense and confrontational hearing Wednesday, citing his Fifth Amendment rights.
By Ariana Figueroa
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has for more than a year used personal information airline passengers provide to the Transportation Security Administration for immigration enforcement, according to documents obtained by a government watchdog group.
By Ariana Figueroa
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has for more than a year used personal information airline passengers provide to the Transportation Security Administration for immigration enforcement, according to documents obtained by a government watchdog group.
ICYMI
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