OP-ED, July 9, 2003
By Deborah Hubbard
Chairperson of Cardiac Care Builders

For years I have watched two of my family members suffer because advanced heart care is not available in southern West Virginia. If a comprehensive cardiac care center were established at Bluefield Regional Medical Center (BRMC), it would save heartache and lives.

As chairperson of Cardiac Care Builders, the group of regional residents and community leaders united in support of BRMC’s heart center project, I am compelled to share my stories in hopes that people truly understand that this issue will affect most of us in one way or another. my loved ones’ experiences are good examples of what numerous residents in southern West Virginia who desperately need advanced cardiac care go through every day.

Because the residents of southern West Virginia are almost two hours away from a hospital that provides comprehensive cardiac care, and since my family has personally been affected, I feel it is my responsibility to help make the public aware of how important it is to have nearby access to advanced cardiac care.

My uncle and father-in-law have both been to Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) not only for immediate care after their heart attacks, but for follow-up visits. These trips are long, time consuming, and are a substantial financial burden, and it is very difficult to provide the emotional support needed at such a critical time in my family members’ lives.

Even though 93 percent of area residents believe there is a need for a regional heart center, according to a recent survey, the decision to build this facility is not up to local residents, or the three hospitals that are partners in helping to bring these services to our area. The final decision is up to the state Health Care Authority (HCA) in Charleston.

Earlier this year BRMC submitted an application for a Certificate of Need (CON) to the HCA. A public hearing that will help HCA make this critical decision has been scheduled for August 7th and 8th in Charleston—more than 100 miles away from the people it concerns. This hearing needs to be in Bluefield so our residents can take part in this decision making process.

We must have a final decision by the end of summer. If not, more than 130,000 residents in southern West Virginia will continue to suffer—and more people will continue to die from complications of heart disease. Your friends, relatives or neighbors in southern West Virginia are affected by this critical inconvenience. It is imperative to the heart patients and community members who have waited patiently through this long process that a decision is made quickly.

I encourage those who have an interest in this most critical healthcare decision to become involved in this initiative by contacting Cardiac Care Builders at 866-405-2272. We need your help to make our message resonate in Charleston, so that a comprehensive heart center in southern West Virginia will become a reality to those who need and deserve it most.

Back