HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 68


(By Delegates Douglas, Kuhn, Angotti, Azinger, Border, Butcher, Brown, Flanigan, Hatfield, Leggett, Manchin, Marshall, Martin, Perdue, Prunty and Yeager)


[Introduced February 28, 2002; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a comprehensive study of the shortage of health care practitioners in West Virginia, methods to resolve the problem of shortages in the various fields of skilled health care practitioners, and methods to prevent such shortages in the future;

Whereas , The Nursing Shortage Study Commission has reported, during the 2002 regular session of the Legislature, that the various fields of nursing face shortages both nationally and in this state, both presently and for the foreseeable future; and
 Whereas , A healthcare provider shortage exists in the state of West Virginia within many fields of practice, from nursing homes to hospitals, from dental care practitioners to pharmacists, in rural and urban areas; and
Whereas , It is vitally important that a sufficient number of health care practitioners be attracted to and retained in this state to meet the full and complex needs of citizens and otherwise care for the citizens throughout this state; and
 Whereas , Throughout West Virginia's fifty-five counties there are underserved citizens, understaffed health care clinics, understaffed dental clinics, understaffed nursing homes, and understaffed hospitals; and
 Whereas, Current methods of attracting and retaining healthcare providers in West Virginia have proven insufficient ; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the shortages of health care practitioners in the various fields of health care in West Virginia, to include, but not be limited to, the practice of nursing, the practice of pharmacy, the practice of medicine, and the practice of dentistry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the methods to resolve and prevent future shortages in health care, to include, but not be limited to, student loan forgiveness incentives, attracting students at the high school and primary school levels to such professions, and involving graduate level interns in the provision of health care services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, 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.