WESTON, W.Va. Despite rulings against an estimated $55 million Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital facility at the intersection of U.S. Route 48 and I-79, the project will go forward due to recent changes in state laws governing the Certificate of Need process, according to Vandalia Health Network Executive Vice President David Goldberg.
In the most recent legislative session, lawmakers passed and the governor signed into law Senate Bill 613. The measure removes certificate of need laws for birthing centers, hospital inpatient services, outpatient services, emergency room services, surgical services, diagnostic and imaging services, and laboratory services on a hospital campus.
“Approve the ability for “Approved Certificate of Need” hospitals to be able to do what they would like to do within the four walls of their facility, not to exceed $100 million in close proximity of their building,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg said a new document has been filed with the state to allow the project to move ahead.
“We also filed a new letter to replace that Stonewall facility under the new CON law just a few months ago,” Goldberg said. “And we received a positive West Virginia Health Care Authority decision on that application, and we are proceeding forward.”
St. Joseph’s Hospital, part of WVU Medicine, filed an objection to the original project before the state law changed due to the location. WVU Medicine officials said the new facility would be 12 miles from the proposed facility, much closer than the 35-mile federal distance requirement, jeopardizing their Critical Access hospital designation.
If the Critical Access designation is lost, it could cost the largest employer in Upshur County up to $3.5 million annually in lost Medicare and Medicaid revenue.
A timeline for the new facility has not been finalized, but it will be equipped with new technology and equipment to bring more high-quality care closer to home for area residents.
“We’re committed to the people and citizens of greater Lewis County, and we’re excited to move forward to give them a new facility and continue to enhance access and the quality of care people know about with Mon Health.” Goldberg said.
Goldberg said he expects St. Joseph’s Hospital to object to the revised plan as well.