HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 50

(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Boggs, Campbell, Cann, Eldridge, Fleischauer, Long, Longstreth, Marshall, Moye, Pino, Rodighiero, Stalnaker, Spencer, Staggers, Wysong, Ashley, Border, Canterbury, Miller J., Rowan and Sumner)


(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)

[February 13, 2008]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the impact of changing the funding formula for local health department services.

Whereas, West Virginia public health is an important and essential governmental function, which strives to improve community health while also delivering public health services to the residents of West Virginia; and
Whereas, Compared to other states, West Virginia dramatically underfunds public health services; and
W HEREAS , To meet the average of other southern states, funding would have to increase by three hundred percent or by $14 million in each of the next three years for a total of $42 million; and
Whereas, Currently, West Virginia's formula to distribute state funding to local health departments is on a per capita basis; and
W HEREAS , Adopting a new formula would better represent the needs and fiscal capacities of the local health boards; and
W HEREAS , West Virginia has some of the highest rates of preventable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke in the nation, costing the state millions of dollars per year; and
Whereas, A new funding formula would allow local boards of health and local health departments to concentrate and develop a higher level of preventive medicine delivery, bringing the rates of these diseases down to the national average and thereby saving State government and private insurers as much as $716 million in costs; and
Whereas, A new system of funding to the States' local health boards and departments for the purposes of developing and delivering additional local health services should be examined to evaluate potential cost savings and disease reduction to the residents of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the impact of changing the funding formula for local health department services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, as part of the study, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance should emphasize the importance in reducing preventable diseases in West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, as part of the study, the Joint Committee on Government and Finance should examine the supportive services and funding of the Department of Health and Human Resources' Bureau for Public Health as they relate to local boards of health and the provision of basic public health services; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee of Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, 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.