Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the regulation of health care professionals licensed in West Virginia .

Whereas, The status of health care professionals and their regulation is a cause for concern for the citizens of West Virginia and has resulted in, among other problems, the "medical malpractice" situation; and
Whereas, The Legislature has attempted to address these concerns during the current regular session of the Legislature without a consensus solution and it is apparent that changes must be made in the manner that information and data are reported and collected in order to reach a solution to these problems; and
Whereas, There is a need for a better system of collecting information and data, such as the number of complaints filed against a health care professional, administrative actions taken, civil malpractice actions filed, resolutions of those actions, including settlements and judgments, and the insurance rates with which health care professionals are faced, in order to better understand and provide meaningful solutions to those problems and protection for the citizens of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the regulation of health care professionals licensed in West Virginia

; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2004, 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.