| |
|
|
| |
Over 900 pieces of legislation have been introduced to date by both Houses. As usual, healthcare related bills make up a major portion of the bills introduced. Several bills were introduced on behalf of the Governor including: establishing venue for civil litigation, driver's license denial or suspension for students who fail or withdraw from school, revising the Promise scholarship program, establishing recruitment bonuses for teachers, and establishing supplementary salary schedules for teachers. Governor Manchin has also made school discipline a part of his legislative agenda based upon recommendations from the state's two teacher unions. Legislation regarding "bullying" is expected soon. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The House Health Committee met this week and took up two pieces of legislation included in the WVSMA policy positions - healthy lifestyles and perinatal health.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Health Committee took up this legislation and had a "healthy" discussion on the bill. Rick Goff, with the state Department of Education was called upon to answer questions regarding the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, which this bill was based upon, and provide recommendations on competitive beverages and snacks (those not provided through the breakfast and lunch programs) sold in schools. The bill clarifies what healthy beverages and snacks are and eliminates the sale of soft drinks and other unhealthy beverages during the school day. After about thirty minutes of discussion, Delegate Marshall Long, DO asked that the bill be laid over until the committee could be provided with a copy of the IOM report.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Health committee took up this legislation, which establishes a uniform maternal screening tool to be used universally by all obstetrical medical providers and all payers. The bill requires the development of this instrument through the collaboration of providers, payers and the DHHR. Comprehensive risk assessment enables the prenatal care provider to determine whether the woman, the fetus, or the infant are at increased risk and provides the basis for further assessment and intervention. The committee amended the bill to include strong confidentiality language which was recommended by the Perinatal Partnership and the WVSMA. The bill then passed out of the Health committee on a unanimous voice vote and was sent to the Judiciary Committee on its second reference.
The Health Committee also passed HB 4059 which allows school bus drivers diagnosed with diabetes to keep their jobs as long as the person is under the care of a physician for the disease, is adhering to all treatment prescribed by his or her physician and also meets all of the requirements to be eligible for a commercial driver's license in this state. This bill was second referenced to the House Education Committee. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
A number of bills have been introduced so far which aim to expand the scope of practice of allied healthcare professionals. Below is a listing of key bills introduced so far that the WVSMA will actively follow.
The WVSMA legislative committee met last week and voted to take a strong position in opposition to SB 59, SB 82 and SB 83. The committee is reviewing the issue of allowing pharmacists to administer immunizations (HB 3056). Factors being discussed are whether the WVSMA would support legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the flu vaccination and whether additional vaccinations may be administered by pharmacists per a physician order. The legislative committee has not yet reviewed HB 3160.
SB 59 Expanding prescriptive authority of advanced nurse practitioners
SB 82 Allowing advanced nurse practitioners to sign do-not-resuscitate orders
SB 83 Allowing advanced nurse practitioners to sign death certificates
HB 3056 - Authorizing pharmacists to administer immunizations
HB 3160 - Allowing certain physician assistants to conduct involuntary custody examinations |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
Speaker Thompson appointed a select committee to study problems facing the elderly this week. The AARP was reported as being pleased with the appointment of this new "Select Committee on Senior Citizens". Tom Campbell (D., Greenbrier) was appointed chair.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Division of Medical Services announced at their Medical Services Advisory Council meeting last week the Medicaid program will be switching their card system from a paper card issued monthly to a plastic swipe card to be mailed every six months. Since Medicaid participants are enrolled on a month to month basis, this change would require providers to purchase a swipe machine to verify the enrollment status of the patient. Concern was raised regarding the cost of the swipe machines (estimated at $300-$600) and a per transaction fee of $.30 each time the card is swiped to determine eligibility.
Following the announcement of this plan and subsequent concern by the physician community and Legislators, the DHHR put a hold on this project. The WVSMA has written a letter of concern regarding this initiative to the DHHR. We will keep our members apprised of any developments.
|
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Governor announced his plan to provide a comprehensive wellness screening for all children enrolling in kindergarten beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. A press release issued by his office quoted the Governor as saying "The Kids First Screening Initiative unites parents, health professionals and teachers to give West Virginia's children the positive start in life they deserve. By working together, we can help ensure that every child receives the best possible chance to be healthy and ready to learn".
The intention of the Program is so children could benefit from a "caring health professional working closely with their parents and school." By creating a medical home for our state's children, "the three important parties can come together and establish the best resources and services for each child". This initiative is a partnership between the Governor's office and the WV Children's Health Insurance Program. A web site has been established for this initiative www.wvkidsfirst.org. |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
The following are listings of select bills of interest that have been introduced to date:
Healthcare Bills
SB 13 Relating to Dental Practice Act generally
SB 19 Revising immunizations requirements for school children
SB 37 Relating to sale of beverages in public schools
SB 59 Expanding prescriptive authority of advanced nurse practitioners
SB 82 Allowing advanced nurse practitioners to sign do-not-resuscitate orders
SB 83 Allowing advanced nurse practitioners to sign death certificates
SB 121 Standardizing preferred drug lists and formularies
SB 147 Relating to Management of Pain Act
SB 209 - Creating Smoke Free West Virginia Act
SB 224 (same as HB 4057) - Creating Joint Emergency Services Act of 2008
SB 234 (same as HB 4071) - Creating Maternal Mortality Review Team
HB 2922 - Relating to exempting physicians from obtaining Medicaid preauthorization for certain medical conditions
HB 2978 -Genetic Information Privacy Act
HB 3056 - Authorizing pharmacists to administer immunizations
HB 3160 - Allowing certain physician assistants to conduct involuntary custody examinations
HB 4020 - Authorizing the disclosure of certain mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
HB 4051 - (same as SB 222) - Permitting only healthy beverages and snacks in schools HB 4052 - (same as SB 221) Uniform Maternal Screening Act
HB 4059 - Relating to medical qualifications for school bus operators
HB 4069 - Establishes mandatory vision test when renewing driver's licenses
HB 4074 - (same as SB 235) - Creating Office of Oral Health
Employer/Employee Relations Billsy
SB 14 (same as HB 2346) - Prohibiting certain employer-sponsored political, religious or labor communications
SB 127 - Limiting certain asbestos claims
HB 2230 - Providing an employee the right to decline to work more than forty hours in a workweek.
HB 2438 - Requiring employers to provide health insurance to employees working on public improvement projects
HB 2762 (similar to SB 127) - Relating to limitations for certain asbestos exposure claims
HB 2950 (similar to SB 218) - Relating to nonpartisan election of justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and Circuit Court judges
HB 4019 - Relating to civil actions filed in the courts of the state (i.e. venue legislation)
SJR 6 - Proposing amendment to Constitution designated Merit Selection of Justices and Judges Amendment
HB 4048 - Providing that all employees have the right to review and copy the contents of their personnel file |
|
|
Top
|
| |
|
|
| |
2008 UNISYS PROVIDER WORKSHOPS
The Provider Workshops scheduled for January 28th through February 5th have been cancelled. Unisys apologizes for this inconvenience and hopes to reschedule the workshops for later in the spring. |
|
|
Top
|
|
January 21, 2008
| |
|
|
KEEP INFORMED!
To stay on top of the actions of the West Virginia Legislature, there are several methods you can utilize: read your local paper, go on-line to the legislative website, and watch your local public television station program The Legislature Today every weekday night at 6:30 p.m.
|
|
|
