SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 26
(By
Senators Craigo, Anderson, Bailey, Chafin, Helmick, Jackson,
Love, Macnaughtan, Plymale, Prezioso, Sharpe, Walker, Boley, Dugan,
McKenzie, Minear and Sprouse)
(Originating in the Committee on Finance)
Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a
study of the growth, development and viability of West
Virginia's health maintenance organizations and their long- term benefit to the people of this state.
Whereas, The continued escalation of health care costs and the
accessibility of health care services are a concern of many West
Virginians; and
Whereas, The Legislature has acted to permit the creation of
health maintenance organizations to provide prepaid health care
plans with the goal of making economical, efficient, quality health
care services available to the citizens of the state; and
Whereas, Health maintenance organizations are beginning to
occupy a greater share of the health insurance market; and
Whereas, The continued economic viability of health
maintenance organizations is an unresolved issue for many of the
managed care entities in this state; and
Whereas, There is continued concern for health maintenance
organizations' sensitivity to the elderly and other patients with
special needs; and
Whereas, An expansion in the enrollment of medicare and
medicaid recipients in health maintenance organizations may present
a detriment to their continued solvency; and
Whereas, The citizens of this state are paying the costs of
managed health care coverage and may not be receiving the best
return on their investment; and
Whereas, Alternative managed care entities could be developed
to enhance health care delivery in rural areas; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
SCR26 SFA HUNTER 4/3 #2
Senator Hunter moved to amend the resolution on page two, after the Resolving clause by striking out the first paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby
requested to appoint an interim committee to study the growth and
development of West Virginia's health maintenance organizations and
the potential for authorizing provider-sponsored networks; the
health care costs benefits provided to their enrollees; the
economic viability of the various managed care entities; the
exclusivity of providers in health maintenance organizations; the
availability of providers and of care provided to enrollees by
health maintenance organizations; the quality of care provided by
health maintenance organizations; enrollees' rights; their ability
to provide care for individuals with special needs; and their
ability to absorb the increased financial risk of PEIA, medicare
and medicaid recipients; the solvency of health maintenance
organizations; the adequacy of the health maintenance organization
guaranty association; and, be it".
Adopted
Rejected
That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby directed to appoint an interim committee to study the growth and development of West Virginia health maintenance organizations and the potential for authorizing provider-sponsored networks; the health care costs benefits provided to their enrollees; the economic viability of the various managed care entities; the availability and quality of care provided by health maintenance organizations; their ability to provide care for individuals with special needs; and their ability to absorb the increased risk of medicare and medicaid recipients; and, be ito provide care for individuals with special needs; and their ability to absorb the increased financial risk of PEIA, medicare and medicaid recipients; the solvency of health maintenance organizations; the adequacy of the health maintenance organization guaranty association; and, be it.
Further Resolved, That the interim committee appointed by the
joint committee on government and finance shall consist of ten members, five of whom shall be members of the Senate and five of
whom shall be members of the House of Delegates; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and
finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1998, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with any
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.