WVDP Mourns the Passing of Former Delegate and Health Care Champion Pat White

Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Democratic Party joins the state in mourning the passing of former Delegate Patricia Holmes White, a trailblazer, health care champion, and steadfast advocate for women’s rights. Pat White, 76, passed away on December 18, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at her home in Charleston after a courageous battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said, “Pat White was a woman of unparalleled determination, compassion, and courage. As the founding CEO of West Virginia Health Right, she dedicated her life to ensuring that people — regardless of income — had access to health care. Thousands of West Virginians received critical medical care because of her vision and determination. Her legacy will live on in the lives she touched, the families she helped, and the community she made stronger.

“Pat was not only a champion for health care access but also a fierce advocate for women and children. During her decade of service in the West Virginia House of Delegates, she fought to expand Medicaid coverage for children and led efforts to protect the health and welfare of women and families. She never stopped believing that government should serve the people.

“Her commitment to justice, equality, and health care for all is a shining example of what leadership looks like. Pat White didn’t just talk about change — she made it happen. She was a mentor to many, a protector of the vulnerable, and a voice for those too often ignored.

“She led a courageous life, and her legacy is one of love and justice. Today, we mourn her passing, but we also honor her extraordinary contributions to our state. On behalf of the West Virginia Democratic Party, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and the countless West Virginians whose lives she enriched.”

As the founding CEO of West Virginia Health Right, she devoted 34 years of service to providing free health care to West Virginia’s most vulnerable. She was a co-founder of the National Free & Charitable Clinics Association and served as its first President, ensuring that low-income communities nationwide could access health care.

Her service in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1984 to 1994 left an indelible mark. She chaired the House Health and Human Resources Committee and was a member of the Women’s Caucus, championing Medicaid expansion for children and other landmark legislation aimed at uplifting women, children, and families. Her unwavering passion for justice and equality inspired generations of leaders, especially women, to step into public service.

Pat White was a leader, a mentor, a fighter, and a friend. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue through the Patricia Holmes White Memorial Fund at West Virginia Health Right, ensuring that her life’s work of providing health care to those in need will live on for generations to come.

The West Virginia Democratic Party encourages those who wish to honor Pat White’s life and legacy to make a contribution to the Patricia Holmes White Memorial Fund at West Virginia Health Right. Donations can be made online at www.wvhealthright.org or mailed to:

ATTN: Angie Settle, CEO

WV Health Right

1520 Washington Street, East, Charleston, WV 25311

Please note “In Memory of Pat White” in the donation memo.