S H&HR SCR ORG #2 3-6

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 96

(By Senators Stollings, Laird, Kirkendoll, Miller, Palumbo, Plymale, Tucker, Yost, Boley, Cole, M. Hall and Walters)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Health to conduct a study on the cost of emergency transportation and billing practices of air-ambulance companies operating in West Virginia.

    Whereas, Families are occasionally faced with the difficult decision of having to hire an air ambulance to transport their loved ones in cases of severe and immediate medical emergencies; and

    Whereas, The emotional toll of dealing with a family member whose medical condition is so intense and extreme can cause people to lose sight of anything except caring for their loved one; and

    Whereas, In situations where a need arises that requires a loved one to be transported via helicopter to a health care facility where they can receive needed and often life-saving medical attention, the cost of the transport is not the first consideration when making arrangements for the transport; and

    Whereas, Air-transportation vendors who are not participants in an insured plan but who transport a plan member or plan member’s family member often submit requests for payment well beyond what is felt to be reasonable and necessary; and

    Whereas, These bills present a burden to families who, upon receipt, attempt to make arrangements to negotiate the rate but find that once the service has been rendered that the air-transportation company is reluctant to negotiate a reduction in the charge; and

    Whereas, Striking a balance between a reimbursement rate that families can afford to pay and a reasonable fee for service that provides air-transportation operators a respectable profit is a difficult endeavor; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Health is hereby requested to conduct a study on the cost of emergency transportation and billing practices of air-ambulance companies operating in West Virginia; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Health report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, 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.