HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Brown, Iaquinta, Mahan and
Webster)
(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)
[January 22, 2004]
Urging the Legislature to set a goal of providing all citizens of
the state of West Virginia with comprehensive, quality and
affordable health care and advising its citizens on how to
obtain such services.
Whereas, Health spending accounts for nearly fifteen percent
of the nation's economy, the largest share on record, and is
rising at a rate far faster than inflation; and
Whereas, It is estimated that by the year 2008 a basic family
health insurance policy in West Virginia may cost at least
$18,000; and
Whereas, One in five adult West Virginians between the ages
of 19 and 64 has no health insurance at some time during the
year; and
Whereas, The current health care system operates in a manner
that creates unfair cost shifting that is the result of
inequalities in coverage; and
Whereas, The health of the economy of West Virginia is
reflected in the health of its children, families and workers;
and
Whereas, The health care crisis in this state can be
effectively addressed and resolved through the determination of
various state agencies, working with the private sector, to
provide appropriate health care coverage for all persons who live
in West Virginia; and
Whereas, All citizens of this state should be advised of the
opportunity to receive quality health care;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature recognizes good health as a basic human
need; and, be it
Further Resolved, That health care should therefore be
considered a primary social benefit, similar to education and
police protection, essential for community stability and economic
development; and, be it
Further Resolved, That affordable health care should, on
principle, be available to all according to medical need rather
than assured only to some and distributed subject to adverse
economic forces; and, be it
Further Resolved, That to that end it shall be the goal of
the State to provide all West Virginians with comprehensive,
quality, affordable health care; and, be it
Further Resolved, That it shall be the goal of all state
agencies to formulate such a plan and to educate and advise the
citizens of this State about all of the present and future
opportunities to obtain comprehensive, quality and affordable
health care; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a copy of this resolution to the State Insurance
Commissioner, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Resources and the Director of the Public Employees' Insurance
Agency.