HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 106

(By Delegates Waxman, Ellington, Summers, B. White, Stansbury, Atkinson and Campbell)

[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported March 8, 2016]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study direct primary care.

WHEREAS, Direct primary care is primary care offered directly to the consumer without insurance administration, incorporating various health care delivery systems that involve direct financial relationships between patients and health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Direct primary care is intended to remove many of the financial barriers of healthcare, often, there are no insurance co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance fees thus avoiding the overhead and complexity of maintaining relationships with insurers; and

WHEREAS, A provision of the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in Section 1301 (and amendment Section 10104) allows for direct primary care to compete with traditional health insurance options in the mandated health insurance exchange when combined with a low cost high deductible plan; and

WHEREAS, Direct primary care practices do not typically accept insurance payments, thus avoiding the overhead and complexity of maintaining relationships with insurers; and

WHEREAS, Because direct primary care payments are typically paid over time, rather than in return for specific services, the economic incentives are such that the long-term health of the patient can be a profitable option for providers while also being an  affordable option to patients; and

WHEREAS, West Virginia currently does not authorize direct primary care; therefore be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the potential benefits of authorizing direct primary care in West Virginia as an alternative for those citizens who do not qualify for Medicaid and are unable to afford health insurance; and, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance shall consult with the State Medical Board, the Insurance Commission, the Health Care Authority, medical providers, health insurers and any other relevant groups or entities in gathering and reviewing information regarding direct primary care; and, be it

Further Resolved, That Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2017, 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.