HCR92 INTR

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 92

(By Delegates H. White, G. White, Spencer, Hartman, Hamilton, Azinger, Hatfield, Walters, Carmichael, Iaquinta, Beach, Canterbury, Perdue and R. M. Thompson.)

[March 6, 2003]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government Finance to conduct a study of the factors affecting the costs of private health insurance and the best means of ensuring access to affordable health care coverage for West Virginia citizens and employers.

Whereas, in excess of three hundred thousand West Virginians do not have health insurance and are not eligible to be covered under existing health care programs; and
Whereas, the amount of reimbursements to health care providers from public health insurance programs have been inadequate to meet the increased demand being placed on health care providers; and
Whereas, the combination of inadequate reimbursements from public programs and the financial burden of providing healthcare to the uninsured have resulted in healthcare providers shifting these burdens to those covered by private insurance which in turn has resulted in an increase in the cost of private health insurance; and
Whereas, the increasing costs of healthcare insurance will continue to have a negative impact on West Virginia citizens and businesses; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report its findings and recommendations resulting from the study to the regular session of Legislature, 2004, together with drafts of any proposed legislation necessary to effectuate such 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.