SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 80

(By Senators Stollings, Laird, Foster, Kirkendoll, Miller, Wills and Tucker)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study of ways to make the West Virginia Medicaid program more cost effective and efficient while maintaining the quality of the health care services it offers.

    Whereas, The West Virginia Medicaid program provides essential health care services for more than 400,000 aged, blind, disabled, or low-income West Virginians; and

    Whereas, Medicaid is especially important in West Virginia because of high rates of child poverty, disability and the growing number of people over age 65; and

    Whereas, Due to increased health care costs and bourgeoning enrollment, expenditures for West Virginia’s Medicaid program are growing much faster than the overall budget; and

    Whereas, According to the State Budget Office, if the Fiscal Year 2013 level of program offerings in the State’s Medicaid program is maintained in Fiscal Year 2014, it is projected that additional funding of over $201 million will be needed; and

    Whereas, Continued growth in Medicaid expenditures and the projected expansion of the Medicaid population in 2014, as provided for in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, make it imperative that policymakers identify ways to improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the Medicaid program; and

    Whereas, Changes to the Medicaid program are inevitable in order to avoid future funding crises and there is a need for solutions that improve care, improve the health of West Virginians and reduce per capita costs; and

    Whereas, As changes to the Medicaid program are contemplated, it will be important to identify and study the Medicaid services required under federal law and those that West Virginia may choose to offer, as well as the cost and effectiveness of providing those services; and

    Whereas, West Virginia may also need to identify and study policies in other states that have employed care coordination, disease and care management, and quality improvement strategies to enhance their ability to provide cost effective care to low-income individuals with significant health needs; and

    Whereas, Controlling the growth of the Medicaid program is critical to both the fiscal health of the state and the people who depend on the Medicaid program for vital services; 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 of ways to make the West Virginia Medicaid program more cost effective and efficient while maintaining the quality of the health care services it offers; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary 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.