Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 34

(By Senators Prezioso, Unger, Jenkins, Stollings and Kessler)



Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility of implementing, through Medicaid and Medicare, a disease management program for congestive obstructive pulmonary disease.

Whereas, Congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the only one of the top five causes whose prevalence and death rate are rising; and
Whereas, COPD is a chronic progressive disease which impacts over 100,000 residents of West Virginia; and
Whereas, The annual cost to the nation for COPD in 2004 was estimated to be $37 billion; and
Whereas, The Council of State Governments has urged state legislatures and state health officials to include COPD in their chronic disease initiatives, with the goal of reducing total health care costs associated with COPD while increasing quality of care for those suffering with this chronic disease; and
Whereas, Early diagnosis and management of COPD can effectively reduce the overall financial burden of the illness within public programs such as Medicaid and Medicare; and
Whereas, Proper management of COPD can lead to improved quality of life of patients cared for within public programs; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the feasibility of implementing, through Medicaid and Medicare, a disease management program for congestive obstructive pulmonary disease; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, 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.