HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21
(By Delegate Fleischauer, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson, and
Delegates Anderson, Andes, Argento, Armstead, Azinger, Barker,
Beach, Blair, Boggs, Border, Brown, Browning, Burdiss, Campbell,
Cann, Canterbury, Caputo, Cowles, Craig, Crosier, DeLong, Duke,
Eldridge, Ellem, Ellis, Evans, Fragale, Gall, Guthrie, Hamilton,
Hatfield, Higgins, Hrutkay, Iaquinta, Kessler, Klempa, Kominar,
Longstreth, Mahan, Manchin, Marshall, Martin, Miley, C. Miller,
J. Miller, Moore, Morgan, Moye, Overington, Palumbo, Paxton,
Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, D. Poling, M. Poling, Porter,
Proudfoot, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Rowan, Schadler, Schoen, Shaver,
Shook, Spencer, Staggers, Stalnaker, Stemple, Stephens, Sumner,
Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, Tansill, Tucker, Varner, Walters,
Webster, Wells, White, Williams, Wysong and Yost)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to
undertake a study of long-term care as it relates to the
number of state residents in out-of-state long-term health
facilities to include a review of the costs and options for
their care in this state and consideration of measures to
reduce the cost of health care for residents being cared for
in long-term health facilities in other states.
Whereas, The West Virginia citizens who are dependent on
respirators or ventilators are not able to receive long-term care
in this state; and
Whereas, Individuals with traumatic brain injury or other long
term disabling conditions comprise the major portion of people
receiving long-term care in other states because there are no
options for long term care in this state; and
Whereas, Many West Virginia Veterans are returning from foreign
conflicts with traumatic brain injuries and our State has a special
responsibility to see that veterans receive proper care, preferably
as close to their home community as possible; and
Whereas, These citizens are away from home, without close
family and friends and are cut off from their natural social and
environmental supports; and
Whereas, It is essential that the state review the care
provided to its citizens in out-of-state long-term care facilities
to ensure a full continuum of long-term care so that each citizen
will have long-term care options in this state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance to undertake a study of long-term care as it
relates to the number of adult state residents in out-of-state
long-term health facilities to include a review of the costs and
options for their care in this state and consideration of measures
to reduce the cost of health care for residents being cared for in
long-term health facilities in other states, including measures to
bring them home for long-term care; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance solicit the testimony of acknowledged experts and family
members of those citizens being treated in out-of-state placement
to gain direct information and research regarding the personal experiences of families with loved ones in out-of-state care and to
consider any cost neutral in state options for the long-term care
of these citizens; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the 2009 regular session of the Legislature 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 all reports and draft legislation be paid from
the legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government
and Finance.