Capito Visits School Health Clinic

Statement

Capito Visits School Health Clinic

Dear Friend,

This week marked a busy conclusion to the legislative session here in the House of Representatives. While healthcare reform remained at the forefront of the debate, this week also brought on action on key appropriations bills, and airline safety. I also had the opportunity to spend time with health professionals at Riverside High School's school-based health clinic.

Visit to School-Based Health Clinic

I've long believed that school-based health clinics can play a critical role in providing health care to our children, and on Monday I had the pleasure of visiting the Riverside Wellness Center in Belle. The clinic is located in Riverside High School, serving the students and residents in the surrounding communities.

The clinic's staff does great work and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more about their programming. We also had an important discussion about legislation I've sponsored that could increase federal support for school-based health clinics - particularly in our under-served communities. I look forward to continued work with the West Virginia School-Based Health Assembly and others to see this piece of legislation pass approved by the full House and Senate.

Aviation Subcommittee Members Introduce Air Safety Bill

I was also pleased to join a bipartisan group of my colleagues on Thursday in sponsoring new legislation that will improve training and safety standards for air travel. Recent air tragedies like the crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 near Buffalo earlier this year have shed light on a number of needed improvements.

Our bill will help address many of those needed changes by improving pilot screening procedures, enhancing pilot training and establishing a streamlined records database on pilot training and safety. We'll also establish a new task force to recommend best safety practices and monitor airline implementation.

New GI Bill Goes Into Effect

I also wanted to take an opportunity to remind West Virginia veterans that as the new GI Bill goes into effect my office is available to provide assistance in navigating the new program. You can also find more information at http://gibill.va.gov.

Finally, I continue to receive valuable messages from many of you with your thoughts on the health care reform debate. While I firmly believe that the status quo is unacceptable, it's imperative that we have truly bipartisan reform that leaves patients and their doctors - not government - in charge of healthcare.

I look forward to seeing many of you across the district throughout the month of August. It is an honor to represent you.

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