West Virginia Department of Health launches Data Spine initiative to strengthen statewide healthcare infrastructure

The West Virginia Department of Health (DH) announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to design, develop and implement a statewide Data Spine platform, a foundational component of the Rural Health Transformation Program’s (RHTP) Connected Care Grid (CCG) initiative.

“Data plays a vital role in how we understand health needs and improve care across our state,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh. “The Data Spine initiative is an important step toward bringing information together in a more connected and meaningful way – helping providers, communities, and the State work from a shared picture to better support the health of West Virginians.”

The goal of the Data Spine is to serve as a secure, scalable digital network that integrates data from a wide range of sources, including electronic health records, claims systems, emergency medical services, public health systems and community-based organizations. By bringing these data streams together into a unified platform, the Department will create a more connected and proactive healthcare ecosystem across the state.

Released under the CCG initiative, the RFP seeks a qualified vendor partner to deliver a platform that supports interoperability, real-time data exchange and advanced analytics. The system will provide actionable insights through dashboards, reporting tools and predictive capabilities that help providers and policymakers identify at-risk populations, monitor outcomes and improve care delivery.

The Data Spine will support care coordination across clinical and non-clinical settings. By streamlining patient management for complex cases, it will improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary utilization. The platform will also support broader RHTP goals by enhancing data-driven decision-making, strengthening accountability and enabling the measurement of program impact at the state and local levels.

“This effort is about creating a unified, reliable foundation for healthcare data in West Virginia,” Singh said. “With the right technology partner, we can move beyond disconnected systems and build a modern data environment that supports our providers, empowers our communities, and ultimately improves healthcare outcomes.”

The Department is seeking proposals that emphasize scalability, security and flexibility, including the use of industry-standard interoperability approaches to ensure seamless integration with existing systems. Vendors are also encouraged to demonstrate capabilities in advanced analytics, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to support predictive insights and performance monitoring.

Eligible applicants may access the active solicitation through the state’s procurement and grants management system at wvOASIS.gov. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the full material packet for detailed eligibility requirements, submission instructions and key deadlines.

For more information, visit health.wv.gov.