SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 33

(By Senator Helmick)




Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study relative to ways to enhance and preserve rural health infrastructure by defining essential community services, in addition to the feasibility of allowing advanced nurse practitioners to serve in health maintenance organizations in lieu of a primary care physician, as well as the feasibility and cost of requiring insurance coverage for the treatment of serious mental illness.

Whereas, A need exists to enhance and preserve adequate health care for persons residing in rural areas of the state; and
Whereas, A major issue that needs to be addressed in relation to health care in this state relates to keeping the cost of good health care within reasonable limits for the persons residing throughout the state and allowing advanced nurse practitioners to serve in lieu of primary physicians in health maintenance organizations may present a reasonable alternative toward reducing cost; and
Whereas, A major problem in health care that has existed without being adequately addressed is the availability of effective treatment for serious mental illness and the payment therefor; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study ways to enhance and preserve rural health infrastructure by defining essential community services, in addition to the feasibility of allowing advanced nurse practitioners to serve in health maintenance organizations in lieu of a primary care physician, as well as the feasibility and cost of requiring insurance coverage for the treatment of serious mental illness; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1999, 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.