HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 68
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates R. M. Thompson, Amores,
Anderson, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Beane, Blair, Boggs,
Border, Browning, Butcher, Calvert, Campbell, Canterbury, Caputo,
Carmichael, Caruth, Crosier, DeLong, Doyle, Duke, Ellem, Evans,
Ferrell, Fleischauer, Foster, Fragale, Frederick, Frich, Hall,
Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Houston, Howard, Hrutkay, Iaquinta,
Kominar, Kuhn, Leggett, Long, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manuel,
Martin, Michael, Morgan, Overington, Palumbo, Paxton, Perdue,
Perry, Pethtel, Poling, Renner, Romine, Schadler, Shaver,
Shelton, Smirl, Sobonya, Spencer, Stalnaker, Staton, Stemple,
Sumner, Susman, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, R. M. Thompson,
Trump, Tucker, Wakim, Walters, Warner, Webb, Webster, G. White,
H. White, Williams, Wright, Yeager and Yost
)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study of the transportation needs of the women, persons
living below the poverty level, elderly, veterans and persons
with disabilities and others living in West Virginia.
Whereas, According to The Status of Women in West Virginia
developed by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, as of 2002,
a majority of 58 percent of West Virginia's rural residents live in
areas that are not served by any public transportation, while 23
percent have below average access to transportation service; and
Whereas, Women in West Virginia have the lowest levels of
educational attainment in the country; and
Whereas, Women in West Virginia are much more likely to live in
poverty than women nationally; and
Whereas, Women in West Virginia are among the most likely in
the country to die of heart disease or lung cancer, to have
diabetes, and to experience activity limitations due to their health status; and
Whereas, The conclusions and policy recommendations of the
study done by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, it was
determined that the delivery of social services to women, including
access to appropriate transportation, was necessary to improve the
quality of life for women in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The care of elderly relatives in West Virginia falls
almost entirely on women, they must overcome the lack of
transportation to health care facilities, nutrition sites,
educational programs, and wellness centered activities in senior
centers; and
Whereas, West Virginia's elderly population is increasing and
now ranks as the oldest median population in the nation; and
Whereas, West Virginia is a very rural state with many of its
women, elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities living in
areas that are not served by mass transit; and
Whereas, Transportation is an integral part of a person's
ability to maintain a healthy life style; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this State to encourage and
promote the development of resources to ensure the effective care
and treatment of persons who are dependent upon the services of
others by reason of age, a physical or mental impairment; and
Whereas, In recognition that for many such persons, effective
care and treatment can only be secured from proprietary, voluntary and governmental offerings, it is the policy of this State to
ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of those using such
services; and
Whereas, A guiding principle of administration of the laws of
this State is that such persons shall be encouraged and assisted in
securing necessary care, services and treatment; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this State to encourage and
promote the coordination of all agencies, political subdivisions,
proprietary and voluntary offerings; and
Whereas, A coordinated transportation system increases
efficiency by: Clustering both passengers and transportation
providers; utilizing fewer one-way trips; providing more needed
services; and coordinating the various public and private
resources; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to conduct a study of the State's transportation system
as it relates to the health care maintenance of women, elderly
residents, veterans and persons with disabilities and others in
order to ensure the development of the resources and the protection
of the rights and dignity of those persons; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the findings and recommendations
resulting from the study shall be reported to the Legislature by
the beginning of the regular session of the year 2005, together with drafts of any proposed legislation necessary to effectuate
such recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance shall receive from Legislature funding to meet expenses
incurred by the undertaking of the study.