HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 123

(By Delegates Perry, Hall, Moore, Reynolds, Cann,

Ferns, Frazier, Hartman, Iaquinta, Mahan, Manchin,

Michael, Shaver, Stowers, Ashley, Walters,

 Carmichael, Nelson, and O’Neal)

(Originating in the Committee on Banking and Insurance)

(March 3, 2011)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of requiring coverage for eosinophilic disorders by accident and sickness insurance, Public Employees Insurance Agency plans and Medicaid.

    Whereas, Eosinophilic disorders occur when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, are found in above-normal amounts in various parts of the body; and

    Whereas, When the body wants to attack a substance, such as an allergen, eosinophils respond by moving into the area and releasing a variety of toxins, and when the body produces too many eosinophils, they can cause chronic inflammation, resulting in tissue damage; and

    WHEREAS, These rare diseases are diagnosed according to where the elevated levels of eosinophils are found and include: Eosinophilic esophagitis (esophagus); Eosinophilic gastritis (stomach); Eosinophilic enteritis (small intestine); Eosinophilic colitis (large intestine); and Hypereosinophilic syndrome (blood and any organ); and

    Whereas, Having been considered rare in the past, the diagnosis of eosinophilic disorders are on the rise; and

    WHEREAS, The symptoms of these disorders vary depending on the area of the gastrointestinal tract affected by the eosinophils and generally include nausea, vomiting, malnutrition, and pain; and

    WHEREAS, Accurate diagnosis of eosinophilic disorders is only found through endoscopy with a biopsy of the affected area and the ability to track the numbers of diagnoses through medical coding have only been available since 2008; and

    WHEREAS, Treatment of the disorders include dietary management and medications, with routine endoscopies to track the progress of treatment;

    WHEREAS, There is currently no cure for eosinophilic disorders; treatment options work best by combining multiple therapies to treat the symptoms over the course of the patient’s lifetime; and

    WHEREAS, Children suffering from these disorders often show signs of failure to thrive and require surgical implantation of a feeding tube directly to their stomach to be sure they receive adequate nutrition; and

    WHEREAS, Persons suffering from these disorders that require feeding tubes also require nutrient supplements that cost as much as $1000 per month and in many instances this expense is not covered; and

    WHEREAS, There is growing public concern about the availability of full and adequate health insurance coverage for treatment of eosinophilic disorders; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of requiring coverage for eosinophilic disorders by accident and sickness insurance, Public Employees Insurance Agency plans and Medicaid; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature, on the first day of the regular session, 2012, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expense necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.