SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17
(By Senators Stollings and Plymale)
Requesting that the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and
Human Resources Accountability study the availability of
medical rehabilitation centers for state residents.
Whereas, West Virginia Medicaid currently does not pay for
inpatient medical rehabilitation for persons older than 21 years of
age; and
Whereas, Until recently, the West Virginia Rehabilitation
Center, located in Institute, Kanawha County, had an inpatient unit
that was able to provide care for patients who lacked other
funding; and
Whereas, The West Virginia Rehabilitation Center is no longer
providing inpatient medical rehabilitation services; and
Whereas, West Virginians on Medicaid receive inpatient medical
rehabilitation only if the hospital or free-standing rehabilitation
center provides charity care; and
Whereas, Inpatient medical rehabilitation is a medically
necessary treatment for many conditions, including stroke,
traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other conditions
resulting from disease and trauma; and
Whereas, For these patients, equivalent outcomes cannot always
be achieved in acute care hospital settings, nursing homes, home health or outpatient facilities; and
Whereas, Inpatient medical rehabilitation has been shown to
improve function, decrease subsequent medical morbidity and, in
some cases, allow patients to become economically self-sufficient;
and
Whereas, That to provide Medicaid funding for adult
rehabilitation services, it is essential that the West Virginia
Medicaid program receive adequate funding to allow all West
Virginians to maximize their recovery from severe disabling
conditions; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human
Resources Accountability is hereby requested to study the
availability of medical rehabilitation centers for state residents;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on
Health and Human Resources Accountability study the feasibility of
Medicaid reimbursement for adults receiving treatment from such
facilities and the funding necessary to provide such services; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislative Oversight Commission on
Health and Human Resources Accountability 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 Legislative Oversight
Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability.