HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 98

(By Delegates Ellington, Bibby, Capito, Cooper, Dean, Fast, Foster, Harshbarger, Hill, Hollen, Hott, Howell, D. Jeffries, D. Kelly, Kessinger, Kump, Linville, Malcolm, Mandt, Nelson, Pack, Phillips, Rohrbach, Rowan, Shott, Steele, Storch, Sypolt)

[Introduced March 7, 2019]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study and analyze the potential use of audio telemedicine in West Virginia.

Whereas, The use of telemedicine in West Virginia is far below usage in other states; and

Whereas, West Virginia is a largely rural state that lacks significant broadband coverage, has difficult geography, and has an aging demographic; and

Whereas, Under current West Virginia law, the initial physician-patient telemedicine encounter must be via video encounter; and

Whereas, These combined factors remove the ability for telemedicine via video technology to be a feasible option for most West Virginia residents; and

Whereas, At least 17 states do not prohibit audio-only telemedicine; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the potential use of telemedicine via audio for physicians and their patients in West Virginia.

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2020, 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 a study, prepare reports, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.