PARKERSBURG, Va. (WTAP) – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrissey hosted a roundtable discussion at the Vienna City Council.
Wood County citizens and officials have had the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns with the Attorney General.
Morrissey touched on the issue of Medicaid fraud, but the main topic of discussion was the use of opioid clearing funds that will soon be paid to West Virginia. Morrissey was set up to control 72.5% of the settlement money We talked about the non-profit organization, the West Virginia Frist Foundation. Morrissey said the foundation’s board will consist of six representatives from various parts of West Virginia, plus five additional members appointed by the governor and approved by the state legislature.
He said the foundation would receive oversight from his office. “The Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of State now have jurisdiction over nonprofit organizations, so there are many laws in place to make sure these organizations operate in the right way,” the Attorney General said. I got
Morrisey also commented on how the West Virginia First Foundation is working to provide funding and support to the West Virginia community.
“This is a foundation,” said Morrissey. “We accept applications and applications for grants. I envision an announcement at the beginning of each year as to the dollars available for spending that year.” Counties that plan for will be able to come up with really creative proposals that will make the most effective use of the funds,” he added.
Parkersburg City Councilman Wendy Tuck attended the roundtable. She emphasized the importance of taking a scientific, data-based approach to conversations and policy around the opioid crisis. “There is very good science out there,” Tuck said. “I think it’s really important to have a balance between people with great intentions and people who actually know the research that leads to healing and recovery,” she said.
Tuck added that she, for her part, hopes that the use of Parkersburg’s opioid reconciliation funds will focus on preventative measures to treat addiction.
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