SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 32

(By Senators Ross, Hunter, Boley, Sharpe, Unger, White, Love, Rowe, Sprouse, Minear, Dempsey, Fanning and McCabe)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the Medicaid Waiver program for the senior population of West Virginia.

Whereas, The senior population continues to become a large percentage of the West Virginia population; and

Whereas, This population is living longer due to improvements in health care, but improved health care has also created a population of seniors who are in fragile health; and

Whereas, The senior population of West Virginia would rather remain in their home and be as independent as possible; and

Whereas, It is more economically efficient to provide some health care and supportive services in the home; and

Whereas, The West Virginia Medicaid Waiver program may save significant money by providing these services in the home instead of institutional care; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the Medicaid Waiver program for the senior population of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the Legislature in December, 2003, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, due to the immediacy of the situation, the members of the Legislature recommend that the Department of Health and Human Resources lift the freeze it imposed on this program until this study and its recommendations are concluded; 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.