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Manchin rejects part of new heart-care rule

July 18, 2008 @ 11:49 AM

The Associated Press

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Gov. Joe Manchin has rejected plans to let medium-sized West Virginia hospitals perform elective procedures to clear clogged heart arteries without a surgical backup.

But Manchin told the state Health Care Authority on Friday to revise its proposed rules and return them for consideration as soon as possible.

Spokeswoman Lara Ramsburg says the governor wants to provide rural residents the best care possible. But she says Manchin is concerned about a reference to medical transport times.

The language could inadvertently prevent some hospitals from performing elective angioplasty.

The authority last month approved the new cardiac-care rules, and Manchin approved most of them.

Authority Chairwoman Sonia Chambers did not immediately respond to a telephone message.