HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 83

(By Delegates Howell and Clark)

March 11, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Rules

Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance engage in a study concerning debt collection practices by nonprofit hospitals and/or health clinics who are funded, in whole or in part, by state funding appropriation in West Virginia and assess the propriety of such debt collection practices.

Whereas, Members of the West Virginia House of Delegates have received reports that nonprofit hospitals and/or health clinics who are funded, in whole or in part, by state funding appropriation in West Virginia are conducting debt collection practices, or contracting to third parties for debt collection; and

Whereas, Such debt collection practices by nonprofit hospitals and/or health clinics who are funded, in whole or in part, by state funding appropriation or their debt-collection contractors in West Virginia are reported as being conducted without negotiating payment plans with the debtors, and that debtors are being threatened with wage garnishment and liens in the name of nonprofit hospitals and/or health clinics who are funded, in whole or in part, by state funding appropriation in West Virginia; and

Whereas, A public policy issue is presented as to whether nonprofit hospitals and/or health clinics who are funded, in whole or in part, by state funding appropriation in West Virginia should be allowed to conduct debt collection practices in the manner described above; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance engage in a study concerning debt collection practices by nonprofit hospitals and/or health clinics who are funded, in whole or in part, by state funding appropriation in West Virginia and assess the propriety of such debt collection practices; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the study staff assigned shall report its findings in writing to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance not later than the interim session of December 2023, for the purposes of preparing legislation for the 2024 Regular Session; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, prepare a report, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.