Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 34
(By Senators Prezioso, Unger, Jenkins, Stollings and Kessler)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
feasibility of implementing, through Medicaid and Medicare, a
disease management program for congestive obstructive
pulmonary disease.
Whereas, Congestive obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also
known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is the fourth leading
cause of death in the United States and the only one of the top
five causes whose prevalence and death rate are rising; and
Whereas, COPD is a chronic progressive disease which impacts
over 100,000 residents of West Virginia; and
Whereas, The annual cost to the nation for COPD in 2004 was
estimated to be $37 billion; and
Whereas, The Council of State Governments has urged state
legislatures and state health officials to include COPD in their
chronic disease initiatives, with the goal of reducing total health
care costs associated with COPD while increasing quality of care
for those suffering with this chronic disease; and
Whereas, Early diagnosis and management of COPD can
effectively reduce the overall financial burden of the illness
within public programs such as Medicaid and Medicare; and
Whereas, Proper management of COPD can lead to improved
quality of life of patients cared for within public programs;
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 implementing, through
Medicaid and Medicare, a disease management program for congestive
obstructive pulmonary disease; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, 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.
Email
Webmaster | © 2024 West Virginia Legislature **
