Representatives talk about John Manchin clinic, education

Jan. 07--FAIRMONT -- A big discussion during the Marion County Chamber of Commerce's 2018 Legislative Breakfast, held Friday at Fairmont State University, was the future of the John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center.

The event was attended by Delegates Mike Caputo, Linda Longstreth and Guy Ward and state Senators Robert Beach and Roman Prezioso, who fielded questions submitted by the public in front of an assembled crowd.

The representatives were asked to talk about the potential for closure of the health care facility. The facility had faced an uncertain future last year in the face of two bills that could have resulted in the sale of state-owned, long-term care facilities.

The health care center is operated by West Virginia's Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), and states on its website: "John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center provides medical care regardless of income, financial status, or insurance coverage."

Longstreth spoke passionately about the clinic, and said the potential for closure of the clinic, along with the other facilities across the state, has been an ongoing issue.

"I believe that the DHHR chairman and the governor both stated that we should not be in the business of health care. But we are," Longstreth said.

The building is sound, and the employees are great, she said, adding that they provide the community with functions such as a nursing home, an outpatient clinic, and Meals on Wheels for seniors.

"They do a big function that no one wants to address. They're just addressing that we do not need to have these facilities," Longstreth said.

Caputo also commented on the benefits of having the facility.

"There's folks over there that just wouldn't have health care if it wasn't for the John Manchin Clinic," he said. "It is a great facility that does a lot of good work for people who just couldn't go anywhere else."

He added that last year they received petitions with thousands of signatures from Marion County residents to keep the facility running, "which was quite gratifying to know we have a community that cares about people that are less fortunate."

Pointing out that many people at that facility can't afford a private institution, Longstreth also said private nursing homes may not be equipped and ready to take care of the patients that would be displaced by the facility's closure.

Both Caputo and Longstreth said they will say no to the closing of the John Manchin clinic.

"Sometimes you've just got to do the right thing," Caputo said. "I think we should stand together as Marion Countians and say no to that. I think it's good for our people, it's good for our economy, and it's just quite frankly the right thing to do."

Ward later added that he agrees with the other delegates on the center's future.

Education

Another topic mentioned by several of the representatives during their introductory speeches at the event was teacher pay raises.

Prezioso said Gov. Jim Justice has proposed a teacher pay raise, and also wants there to be tuition-free community colleges.

Teacher pay raises are only one area of "critical need," Prezioso said, adding that corrections officers also are not paid enough.

"Also, DHHR, we're going to have to look at those salaries," he said. "Those social workers are making a pittance."

Caputo agreed that along with teachers, corrections officers also need a pay raise.

"We had a spike in revenue and that is a good thing, but if these salary increases continue to be the heart of this discussion ... there's not enough bump to cover that," Caputo said. "So we have to figure out where that revenue comes from."

Caputo spoke about the importance of education in the state, saying that an educated workforce helps build a strong economy.

"Teacher pay has to increase or we're not only going to not be able to recruit good teachers for the state of West Virginia, we're not going to be able to retain the good ones that we have," he said.

Focusing on the free tuition for community colleges concept, Beach shared his thoughts that there's nothing the government can do that comes without a cost.

He mentioned some other possibilities they may be able to pursue that wouldn't cost as much, such as offering students free credits for their last semester of college.

"I think you have to be very careful how we move forward with this," Beach said. "Nothing's always free."

As he sat at a table with Pierpont President Dr. Johnny Moore and Fairmont State President Dr. Mirta Martin nearby, Caputo also mentioned that higher education can't be cut any more.

"They have been cut to the bone," he said. "It just absolutely has to stop."

Longstreth also agreed that colleges have seen a lot of cuts.

"We hope to make them full and help them so they can produce the college-educated people we need," she said.

Tiffany Towner is the editor of the Times West Virginian. She can be reached at ttowner@timeswv.com.

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