HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 37
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates
Douglas, Michael, Compton and Martin)
Directing the Joint Committee on Government Organization to make
a study of the feasibility of providing health insurance
coverage for uninsured children in West Virginia.
Whereas, Access to quality preventive and primary care
services is important for the health and welfare of all children;
and
Whereas, Timely access to appropriate care can help prevent
health problems that might otherwise inhibit the ability of a
child to learn and to grow into a productive citizen; and
Whereas, Lack of adequate health insurance coverage is often
a barrier to access to care; and
Whereas, 60,000 West Virginia children do not have health
insurance coverage; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government Organization together
with the Commissioner for Medical Services, the Commissioner for
Public Health, the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance,
a representative of the health insurance industry and a
representative of the West Virginia Children's Health Project is
hereby directed to develop a proposal for affordable health
insurance for all of West Virginia children made available to
parents on a sliding fee scale. The committee is further
directed to work with the office of medical services and the federal government to develop a proposal whereby such an
insurance program would be partially supported with federal
dollars and to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding
the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government
Organization report to the regular session of the Legislature,
1998, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together
with any drafts foof any legislation necessary to effect the
recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expense 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 Organization.