Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 1 History
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Introduced Version
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 114
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Eldridge, Lawrence, Marshall,
Perry, Phillips, Poling, Rodigherio, Spencer, Susman, Border,
C. Miller, J. Miller and Rowan)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources;
Reported March 10, 2010.]
Requesting the Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a
study on the feasability of dividing the Department of Health
and Human Resources into more than one distinct agency.
W
HEREAS
, When Governor Gaston Caperton became Governor in 1989,
he persuaded the Legislature to adopt a sweeping executive branch
reform initiative that expanded the Governor's control over
agencies, with the intent of making agencies more streamlined and
efficient; and
WHEREAS, One of the positions created was the position of
Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources;
and
W
HEREAS
, Since then, the Department of Health and Human
Resources has grown tremendously with an increased staff of over
6,000 employees responsible for well over 25 expansive and critical
programs which serve the entire state; and
W
HEREAS
, The Department of Health and Human Resource budget has
grown to well over $3.5 billion dollars and has easily become the most comprehensive agency in state government; and
W
HEREAS
, With this immense growth and responsibility, the
Department has developed systemwide problems which need rapid
corrections; and
W
HEREAS
, Although the Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Resources has proven herself to be quite capable, with the
responsibility for all of the employees and programs offered by the
agency, she cannot realistically focus on any one program in a
profound way; and
Whereas, As a direct result of lack of resources and adequate
focus, the Department of Health and Human Resources has been taken
to court regularly by community groups and clients for its
inability to meet the huge expectations of the agency; and
WHEREAS, The State of West Virginia can no longer ignore the
problems and continuing questions about DHHR's effectivity any
longer; 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 dividing the Department of
Health and Human Resources into more than one entity and to
determine the benefits and risks from both a financial perspective
and a programmatic perspective of such a division; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, 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.