SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65

(By Senator Weeks)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance direct the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability study the feasibility of mandating that state hospitals and state long-term care facilities be subject to all state licensing rules and applicable statutory requirements.

Whereas, Nearly all legislative rules and statutes with respect to hospitals and long-term care facilities are inapplicable to state hospitals and state long-term care facilities; and
Whereas, The rules and statutes that place restrictions, require standards of care and mandate levels of patient safety should provide protection to all patients regardless of whether they receive health care in a state facility or a private facility; and
Whereas, Making state hospitals and state long-term care facilities abide by the same rules and statutory mandates as private hospitals and private long-term care facilities should only serve to offer uniform services and increase the standard of care for patients in state-operated facilities; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to direct the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability study the feasibility of mandating state hospitals and state long-term care facilities be subject to all state licensing rules and applicable statutory requirements; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability consult with representatives of both privately owned and operated health care facilities and state-operated facilities to gain insight into potentially expanding current rules and statutes to encompass state-operated hospitals and long-term care facilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2007, 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.