HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 143

(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Barill, D. Campbell, Ferns, Lawrence, Marshall, Moore, Poore, Fleischauer, Moye, Perry, Phillips, Rodighiero, Staggers, Border, Ellington, Householder and Rowan)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported 2011.]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on combining the state health care programs into a single agency.

    WHEREAS, The cost of providing health care by the Public Employees Insurance Agency, the Bureau of Medical Services, Access West Virginia and the Children’s Health Insurance Program exceeds the growth in general revenues that are needed to fund these vital programs; and

    WHEREAS, West Virginians have a disproportionate rate of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other chronic illnesses, and coordinating chronic disease management activities among the state payers will result in improved services to the citizens covered by these programs, which will result in future cost savings to the state; and

    WHEREAS, Combining the purchasing of health care services by the various state payers will result in greater efficiency and cost savings; and

    WHEREAS, Combining services such as medical directors services, actuarial services, claims processing and other services will result in efficiencies and cost savings to the state; Therefore be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study on combining the state payers of health care into one entity; 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 any legislation to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses 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.