HOUSE RESOLUTION 5

(BY DELEGATES PUSHKIN, HANSEN, YOUNG, HORNBUCKLE, FLUHARTY, AND LEWIS)

[Introduced January 29, 2024; Referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then Rules. ]

To urge and request West Virginia Medicaid to authorize coverage through the West Virginia Medicaid program for portable oxygen concentrators, when medically necessary.

Whereas, Oxygen is an essential medicine used to care for patients at all levels of the healthcare system, including surgery, trauma, heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, and maternal and child care; and,

Whereas, Oxygen concentrators are devices that draw air room air through a series of filters that remove dust, bacteria, and other particulates; and,

Whereas, An oxygen concentrator delivers supplemental oxygen to individuals who experience drops in blood oxygen levels due to medical conditions such a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COVID-19, and lung cancer; and,

Whereas, There are two common types of oxygen concentrators: stationary and portable; and,

Whereas, A portable oxygen concentrator draws oxygen from the air around it, eliminating the need for refillable tanks and making it smaller and lighter than stationary oxygen concentrators or portable oxygen tanks; and,

Whereas, Most portable oxygen concentrators are shorter than knee height and are designed to be carried and carted around; and,

Whereas, Because portable oxygen concentrators are smaller and lighter, they allow an individual to move around freely and receive supplemental oxygen while performing normal daytime activities or at night to help maintain blood oxygen levels while sleeping; and,

Whereas, there may be a significant increase in not only quality of care, but also quality of life for patients who use portable oxygen concentrators, especially in rural healthcare settings and for pediatric patients; and,

Whereas, West Virginia’s Medicaid program currently covers portable oxygen tanks, but does not allow the option of a portable oxygen concentrator; and,

Whereas, A portable oxygen concentrator may help keep West Virginia residents enrolled in Medicaid both active and in compliance with prescribed oxygen therapy for a healthier, happier, and longer life; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the House of Delegates of the Legislature of West Virginia does hereby urge and request the West Virginia Department of Health to authorize coverage through the West Virginia Medicaid program for portable oxygen concentrators, when medically necessary; and, be it

Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services.