Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 123 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 123
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Eldridge, Lawrence, Marshall,
Perry, Phillips, Poling, Rodigherio, Spencer, Staggers, Susman,
Border C.Miller, J. Miller and Rowan
)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources;
Reported March 10, 2010.]
Requesting the Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a
study on the feasibility of requiring all future methadone
treatment centers be operated only by and for Comprehensive
Behavioral Health Centers.
WHEREAS
,
There are eight for profit Methadone treatment centers
for those addicted to opioids in West Virginia; and
WHEREAS, After much concern, the state issued a moratorium on
opioid treatment programs in 2007;
W
HEREAS
, In 2008, West Virginia established rules clarifying
opioid treatment services and set forth minimal standards for State
approval of opioid treatment providers; and
WHEREAS, Even with these rules, there is still difficulty in
oversight and monitoring of these clinics; and
WHEREAS, At the end of Fiscal year 2008, the latest data
available, there were 8 centers with total revenue in that 12 month
period of $20,300,000; and
Whereas,
The aggregate profit margin of those 8 centers was
$6,600,000 or 32.8% of total revenue; and
Whereas, In West Virginia, there were approximately 120 deaths
related to methadone prescriptions in 2005, compared to just seven
such deaths in 1999; and
W
HEREAS
, Little research has been conducted on both the long-
term effects of methadone use and the recidivism rate of those who
relapse back into treatment, causing a "revolving door" effect; and
Whereas,
West Virginia led the nation in 2004 in the rate of
deaths attributed to methadone; and
Whereas, Four of the eight centers had profit margins over
30%; and
Whereas,
Three of the eight centers made more than one million
dollars and one of those had a profit margin over 40% of revenues;
and
Whereas,
Expenses for those eight centers in Fiscal year 2008
declined by $812,000 over Fiscal year 2007 and most of that
reduction in cost was due to a reduction in support services; and
Whereas,
West Virginia's thirteen Comprehensive Community
Behavioral Health Centers have the expertise to offer opioid
addiction treatment but are handicapped by financial problems as
indicated by the fact that their aggregate margin for fiscal year
2008 was only 1.5% and four of them had losses; and
Whereas,
West Virginians suffering from addiction to opioids may be being charged excessive fees which may be going toward
providing excessive profits to private entities which are reducing
support services which may help them overcome their addictions, not
continue them; and
Whereas,
West Virginia's network of non-profit Comprehensive
Behavioral Health Centers have financial needs which could be eased
by revenues from methadone treatment programs now going to private
entities; and
WHEREAS,
West Virginia's network of non-profit Comprehensive
Behavioral Health Centers could provide the support services which
may be withheld from opioid addicts by for-profit entities now
providing methadone treatment to them; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature shall work with representatives of:
behavioral health providers, the Department of Health and Human
Resources, law-enforcement agencies, the Partnership to Promote
Community Well-Being and other pertinent entities in the
development of the aforementioned study
; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study opioid treatment programs in West Virginia along
with the feasibility of requiring that any methadone treatment be
done by Comprehensive Behavioral Health Centers only or only by
entities which are not-for-profit organizations licensed to do
business in West Virginia and which are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended, codified in 26 U.S.C. §501 (c)(3), and are organized and
operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of
that section; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, 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.