House Bill 2077 The House Committee on Health and Human Resources convened at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15 in Room 215-E. The committee considered three bills during this meeting. Two of the three advanced to the floor, and the third was laid over for the next committee meeting.
House Bill 2077 would establish penalties in the state of West Virginia for smoking in a vehicle with a child under the age of eight present. This bill would make smoking with a child present a secondary offense, punishable by a fine of up to $25.
While there was some concern on the floor regarding whether or not the language of the bill was inclusive of vapor cigarettes or e-cigarettes, House Bill 2077 was ultimately advanced to the House Floor with recommendation that it should pass. It will move to House Judiciary Committee for second reference.
House Bill 2319 would permit the Bureau for Medical Services to create a wholesale importation program, where the state of West Virginia would be able to import more affordable pharmaceuticals from Canada available to West Virginia citizens for purchase.
There was debate on the floor regarding the cost of the implementation of a wholesale importation program, with some skeptical that the Department of Health and Human Resources would struggle in providing the oversight necessary
Delegate S. Marshall Wilson (R-Berkley) made a motion to amend the language in the draft legislation to use the word “may” in place of the word “shall”.
“We shouldn’t move to impose the program until we know it works,” said Wilson. “I like the idea of this bill, but it should only be done if we can determine its effectiveness.”
Other delegates were in support of the bill, looking to similar legislation enacted in Vermont for inspiration.
Delegate Mick Bates (D-Raleigh), who was the lead sponsor of the legislation, defended the lack of a fiscal note in the bill.
“We have to do something about skyrocketing prescription drug rates in West Virginia,” said Bates. “This is my attempt to do something. Give this bill a chance, it’s a novel idea.”
Wilson’s amendment to House Bill 2319 passed. With the amendment implemented, the house was approved to advance to the House Floor with recommendation that it should pass. It will move to the House Judiciary Committee for second reference.
House Bill 2347 would require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources to either improve significantly or build new facilities at two hospitals in West Virginia. Hopemont Hospital in Terra Alta, WV, and Jackie Withrow Hospital in Beckley, WV, would be improved upon or added to under this bill. They would be made better equipped to provide long term care and substance abuse treatment to those in the state in need.
The Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bill Crouch, said that he would favor new facilities altogether over attempting to modernize the two buildings, which are both almost a century old.
Lengthy discussion persisted over the Secretary’s desire to rebuild and then sell the two facilities to private entities for ownership.
“I don’t think that the state is a good direct provider of care,” said Crouch. “I think when it comes to treatment, the private sector is more capable. We’re not looking to take patients that the private sector can take care of.”
After the lengthy discussion regarding the privatization of state facilities, the committee agreed to lay over House Bill 2347 until the next House Health and Human Resources Committee meeting.
