Legislators introduced a bill to the West Virginia senate Feb. 9 that aims to decide the fates of six state-owned hospitals, according to The Dominion Post.
The bill, SB 201, proposes the state hire a consultant to help determine if it should sell, renovate or lease Huntington-based Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital, Weston-based William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, Terra Alta-based Hopemont Hospital, Beckley-based Jackie Withrow Hospital, Fairmont-based John Manchin Sr. Health Center and West Columbia-based Lakin Hospital.
A previous bill was introduced last year that sought to close the Hopemont, Jackie Withrow, John Manchin and Lakin facilities. It was later revised to call upon the state's Department of Health and Human Resources to hire consultant to determine the fates of the institutions, but did not pass, according to the article.