SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 91
(By Senators Facemyer and Unger)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance direct the
Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources
Accountability study the issue of the availability and
distribution of long-term care beds in the State of West
Virginia.
Whereas, In 1992, the Legislature issued a moratorium
prohibiting additional intermediate care or skilled nursing beds
within the state; and
Whereas, Since that moratorium, the nursing home industry has
changed with the addition of less intensive and less expensive care
options; and
Whereas, Changing demographics and patterns of nursing
facilities in the state have caused a crisis in the ability of this
state to offer continuity and access to long-term care for older
West Virginians; and
Whereas, With the addition of such options as adult day care,
home care and assisted living, the aging population of West
Virginia is afforded an array of possibilities for care beyond the
traditional nursing home; and
Whereas, Medical technologies and an emphasis on preventative
health care have resulted in increased longevity of the population of older citizens; and
Whereas, The number of elderly Americans requiring some level
of long-term care is expected to double over the next 25 years,
requiring a retooling of the manner in which individual states
address the needs of their aging populations; and
Whereas, A study of the availability and distribution of
long-term care beds to tend to the long-term care needs of the
senior citizen population in West Virginia is necessary; therefore,
be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to direct the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health
and Human Resources Accountability to study the issue of the
availability and distribution of long-term care beds in the State
of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on
Health and Human Resources Accountability report to the regular
session of the Legislature, 2006, 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.