WV hospital leaders discuss rural healthcare challenges and opportunities

Logan Regional Medical Center CEO Justin Turner and West Virginia Hospital Association President and CEO Jim Kaufman joined WVOW's A.M. Stone on an episode of "LRMC and You."

Shana Nelson | WVOW News

LOGAN Healthcare leaders from Logan Regional Medical Center and the West Virginia Hospital Association discussed the challenges facing hospitals across the state, including workforce shortages, Medicaid funding concerns and the unique demands of providing healthcare in rural communities during an appearance on WVOW's "LRMC and You."

The program featured Logan Regional Medical Center CEO Justin Turner and West Virginia Hospital Association President and CEO Jim Kaufman.

The West Virginia Hospital Association represents all 78 hospitals in the state and helps healthcare providers share information, resources and best practices. While hospitals may compete in some areas, both leaders stressed that collaboration remains essential to delivering quality patient care.

LRMC CEO Justin Turner says that partnerships with other healthcare providers are crucial for giving patients the service they need.

Turner said Logan Regional routinely works with other hospitals, including facilities outside West Virginia, to ensure patients receive the services they need.

"The patient is at the center of it all. Period," Turner said.

Much of the discussion focused on the financial realities of operating hospitals. Kaufman compared hospitals to an auto body shop to show how their 24-hour nature can lead to unique funding and staffing challenges.

"Healthcare is unlike any other sector in the economy," Kaufman said. “Are you keeping your body shop open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, just in case there’s an accident? No. But that’s part of what the hospital’s doing. They’re operating 24/7, 365. It’s a small city unto itself that has to operate regardless.”

LRMC's Emergency Room is staffed and operated 24/7 so that patients can receive care at any time.

He noted that in addition to around-the-clock staffing and operating costs, hospitals also spend a portion of their funds on preventative care, community health programs and education for patients.

"We're only getting paid when you’re using the body shop. But now the body shop is also taking a part of their revenue to teach the driver to be better drivers so that they don’t need their services," Kaufman continued with the comparison.

Turner highlighted several programs offered by Logan Regional, including stroke support services, diabetes education and community outreach efforts. He also noted the hospital employs more than 20 full-time specialists, a significant number for a rural healthcare provider.

The conversation also turned to potential healthcare funding reductions included in federal legislation known as the "Big Beautiful Bill."

According to Kaufman, roughly one-third of West Virginians are enrolled in Medicaid. He said proposed changes could result in some residents losing coverage and could reduce hospital funding across the state by approximately $1 billion annually.

While the exact number of people who could lose coverage remains unclear, Kaufman said the hospital association is working with state Medicaid officials and healthcare providers to help patients navigate any future changes.

State legislative issues were also discussed. Kaufman said the association worked on more than 300 bills during the most recent legislative session, with prior authorization requirements and certificate-of-need regulations among the major issues.

Logan Regional Medical Center's Drive-Thru Lab is located on the LRMC Campus at Doctor's Park.

Workforce shortages remain another significant challenge. Kaufman said West Virginia hospitals currently have more than 4,000 vacant positions. To help address those shortages, healthcare organizations are partnering with schools and other statewide groups to introduce middle school students to healthcare careers at an earlier age.

Both CEOs also discussed lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaufman said the pandemic demonstrated how a major public health crisis can impact care for patients with other conditions, while Turner pointed to innovations such as drive-thru laboratory services

and expanded telehealth options that continue to benefit patients today.

Despite ongoing challenges, Kaufman praised rural healthcare leaders for developing creative solutions to meet community needs, while Turner emphasized the resilience of southern West Virginia residents and healthcare workers, pointing to the hospital's partnership with Marshall University through its Rural Residency Program, which remains the only program of its kind in the nation.

In February, the City of Logan announced the revival and award of $1.2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support the Marshall University Rural General Surgery Residency Program.

As Logan Regional Medical Center looks toward the future, the hospital is also preparing to celebrate a major milestone in its history.

LRMC will host a Centennial Concert Celebration on August 8 at the Logan High School Football Field to commemorate 100 years of service to the community. The free event will feature live music, family activities, fireworks and more.

West Virginia native John Ellison has been announced in the lineup for LRMC's Centennial Celebration Concert.

The hospital has been announcing performers through its Facebook page, with the latest addition being West Virginia native John Ellison, who wrote and recorded the R&B classic "Some Kind of Wonderful."

“Having this legendary Mountain State native back home is going to be some kind of wonderful as we celebrate 100 years of care and community,” LRMC said in its announcement.

Photos | LRMC, WVOW