WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) introduced and questioned Dr. Clay Marsh, the West Virginia COVID-19 Czar and Vice President and Executive Dean for Health Sciences at West Virginia University, at a Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing last Friday on the United States' COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Dr. Marsh was invited to testify about the incredible implementation and success of West Virginia's COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Often having administered over 100% of doses received, West Virginia is consistently leading the nation in vaccinations and if it were its own country, would rank seventh in the world in vaccine distribution.
Congresswoman Miller recently led the West Virginia delegation in urging the Biden Administration to prioritize West Virginia in its next vaccine distribution due to the state's successful implementation.
Congresswoman Miller first introduced Dr. Marsh in addition to providing remarks and questions.
Congresswoman Miller's introduction as prepared:
Thank you Chairman Doggett and Ranking Member Nunes for the opportunity to introduce my fellow West Virginian, Dr. Clay Marsh.
Dr. Marsh, we're so glad to have you here today.
West Virginia has been leading the nation in vaccinating our citizens against COVID-19. We are often near – or even sometimes over – 100% of total doses administered. This has been no easy feat and has been a success thanks to Governor Justice and Dr. Marsh.
Dr. Marsh is West Virginia's COVID-19 czar as well as the Vice President and Executive Dean for Health Sciences at West Virginia University. A nationwide leader in the field of medicine, he has published over 140 academic papers, and holds more than 20 patents or patent disclosures. On top of that, he has seen our state through the pandemic and led with a steady hand in ensuring West Virginia can recover and reopen safely.
Congresswoman Miller's remarks and questions as prepared:
Thank you Chairman Doggett and Ranking Member Nunes, and thank you to all of our witnesses for being here today.
West Virginia has been leading the nation in distributing vaccines. On Wednesday, Governor Jim Justice announced that if West Virginia were its own country, it would rank seventh in the world for rate of vaccination. Given how rural our state is, this has been a mammoth undertaking – from federal, state, to local communities and stakeholders, West Virginia has come together to ensure that we can efficiently and effectively get the vaccines to those who need it most.
No two states are the same, and that is why we cannot mandate a one-sized fits all approach to vaccine distribution. However, we have seen many states tie their own hands. They have gotten into the political correctness of who should be vaccinated and when. We must keep our eyes on the ultimate goal – vaccinating as many Americans as quickly as possible so we can reopen our economy, reopen our places of work, and get kids back to school.
Thank you for your testimony. You illuminated the great efforts West Virginia has undertaken to save lives. Can you elaborate on the success of "Operation Save Our Wisdom"? Why was this such a critical first step for the state to take?
West Virginia was also unique in its utilization of local pharmacies in distributing vaccines to our rural communities out in the hills and hollers. Can you describe how West Virginia has tackled the challenges of rural health care?
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Original source can be found here.
