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Introduced Version House Concurrent Resolution 134 History

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HOUSE Concurrent RESOLUTION 134

(By Delegates Ellington and Summers)

[Introduced April 7, 2017]

 

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on the feasibility of dividing the Department of Health and Human Resources into more than one distinct agency, and restructuring Medicaid.

Whereas, 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

Whereas, 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

Whereas, The Department of Health and Human Resource budget has grown to well over $3.5 billion and has easily become the most comprehensive agency in state government; and

Whereas, With this immense growth and responsibility, the Department has developed system-wide problems which need rapid corrections; and 

Whereas, Although the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources has proven himself or herself to be quite capable, with the responsibility for all of the employees and programs offered by the agency, he or 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, 2018, 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.

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