CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice issues the following statement:
From the first day that I heard about Alecto Healthcare’s decision to close the Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, I have worked tirelessly with WVU Medicine, Congressman McKinley, and community leaders to make sure that the Ohio Valley region will be able to maintain quality healthcare availability and to make sure we saved as many jobs as possible.
I am disappointed that Alecto chose to end negotiations with WVU Medicine on the same day that they announced the premature closing of their facility.
It’s easy to see that this huge out-of-state conglomerate cares very little for West Virginians.
I have proposed multiple solutions through WVU Medicine that have fallen on deaf ears. Even though we have tried everything to keep OVMC open, I have always said that we have to be financially responsible and make sure that we don’t throw money away by giving it to out-of-state corporations that are trying to line their pockets as they prepare for bankruptcy.
While I’m disappointed in the actions of Alecto, I applaud the continuing efforts by WVU Medicine to respond to the healthcare needs of the Ohio Valley in a timely fashion, even without the support of the Alecto Healthcare management team at OVMC.
I have asked Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to look into any improprieties that Alecto has done or is doing that has caused West Virginians undue hardship.