House Concurrent Resolution Number

(By Delegates Summers, Fleischauer, Campbell, Ellington, Lane, Kurcaba, Cooper, Householder, Moore, Hornbuckle and Longstreth)
[Introduced ]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the health care workforce in the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The delivery of health care is in a state of flux, with the addition of nearly 200,000  West Virginians attaining health care coverage; and

Whereas, Many areas of the state are underserved in terms of the number of various health care providers who are unavailable; and

Whereas, West Virginia residents score very poorly when it comes to many health conditions; and

Whereas, There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of our state’s health care workforce, both currently and in terms of the need for various professionals in the future; and

Whereas, A paraprofessional is an individual who works directly with patients, serving an important role as a provider of care and a collaborator with physicians and nurses; and

Whereas, Paraprofessionals perform tasks such as minor first aid and taking blood pressure and temperature. They also frequently work in physical and occupational therapy environments, helping patients navigate exercises and other activities; and

Whereas, The use of paraprofessionals, including community health workers, is increasing in the state and is expected to reach all counties as “Last to First” expands across the state; and

Whereas, Several pilot projects using paraprofessionals are evaluating their effectiveness, but there is not consensus on where or what type of state regulation might be needed; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the health care workforce needs in the future for the State of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That The Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2017, 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.