HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates

Douglas, Michael, Compton and Martin)


Directing the Joint Committee on Government Organization to make a study of the feasibility of providing health insurance coverage for uninsured children in West Virginia.

Whereas, Access to quality preventive and primary care services is important for the health and welfare of all children; and
Whereas, Timely access to appropriate care can help prevent health problems that might otherwise inhibit the ability of a child to learn and to grow into a productive citizen; and
Whereas, Lack of adequate health insurance coverage is often a barrier to access to care; and
Whereas, 60,000 West Virginia children do not have health insurance coverage; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government Organization together with the Commissioner for Medical Services, the Commissioner for Public Health, the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance, a representative of the health insurance industry and a representative of the West Virginia Children's Health Project is hereby directed to develop a proposal for affordable health insurance for all of West Virginia children made available to parents on a sliding fee scale. The committee is further directed to work with the office of medical services and the federal government to develop a proposal whereby such an insurance program would be partially supported with federal dollars and to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government Organization report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1998, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with any drafts foof any legislation necessary to effect the recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expense 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 Organization.