SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45
(By Senators Prezioso, Stollings and Jenkins)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
impact of changing the funding formula for local health
programs.
Whereas, Public health is one of the most important, yet
underfunded governmental functions in West Virginia; and
Whereas, Compared to other states, West Virginia dramatically
underfunds public health. To meet the average of other southern
states, funding would have to increase by 300 percent or by $14
million in each of the next three years for a total of $42 million;
and
Whereas, West Virginia uses a simple formula to distribute
state aid by funding on a per capita basis. Adopting a new formula
that better represents the needs and fiscal capacities of the local
bodies would better distribute state funding; and
Whereas, Local boards of health receive substantial and
significant support from the Department of Health and Human
Resources' Bureau for Public Health and work together as a public
health system; and
Whereas, Greater funding would allow local boards of health to
concentrate efforts on preventable diseases, bringing the rates of
preventable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke in West Virginia down to the national average and thereby
saving the state as much as $716 million in costs; and
Whereas, The current philosophy of health care does not
emphasize preventable diseases; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the impact of changing the funding formula for
local health programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, as part of the study, the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance should emphasize the importance
in reducing preventable diseases; and, be it
Further Resolved, That, as part of the study, the Joint
Committee on Government and Finance should examine the supportive
services and funding of the Department of Health and Human
Resources' Bureau for Public Health as they relate to local boards
of health and the provision of basic public health services; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, 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.
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