HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 80

(By Delegates Border-Sheppard, Ellem, Raines,

         D. Poling, Azinger, Hamilton, Espinosa, Cooper,

              R. Smith, Lynch and Sponaugle)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Health study the allocation of emergency room spending on oral health and ancillary costs; compare findings across West Virginia to the incidence of oral health problems in each hospital region; examine the feasibility of funding Smiles for Life programs in the Mid-Ohio Valley; and study the feasibility of creating legislation consistent with the committee’s findings; and propose legislation to achieve this goal.

    Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the importance of oral health as a component of the overall health and well-being of our people. West Virginia has perennially finished at or near the bottom of rankings of oral health among the states. Many West Virginians face significant obstacles in obtaining dental and oral health resources due to poverty, lack of insurance coverage and other issues and obtain oral health care only in emergency settings; and

    Whereas, The Legislature seeks to address the need to examine how these citizens are obtaining oral health care and how problems in oral health availability may be more efficiently resolved; and

    Whereas, The Legislature believes that greater benefits could accrue to the public if we examine oral health issues to insure resources for oral health were and are allocated in the most optimal fashion; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Health is requested to study the allocation of emergency room spending on oral health and ancillary costs; consider compare findings across West Virginia to the incidence of oral health problems in each hospital region; examine the Smiles for Life program and its efficacy in reducing these problems in the Mid-Ohio Valley; examine the feasibility of funding Smiles for Life programs in the Mid-Ohio Valley; and consider such other information or documentation as the committee may request in order to achieve the goals of this resolution; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee 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 Health.