About 18 people spoke at a public hearing on a bill that would put state managed care organizations in charge of administering certain health care treatments for West Virginia foster children.
The House Committee on Health and Human Resources organized the public hearing Tuesday morning on House Bill 2010.
The bill would put state managed care organizations (or MCOs) in the role of administering certain health care treatments for foster children. The implementation of these MCOs as the primary financial source for health treatments would relieve some of the financial pressures from the Department of Health and Human Resources and their Medicaid program, which currently completely funds foster children in the state.
The bill, which works to address a foster care crisis in the state, would help to privatize and specialize care for the almost 6,700 children in the state of West Virginia who are a part of the foster care system.
Several members of the public came out to defend the proposed legislation, and several members of the public stood in strong opposition.
A primary argument against the bill is that House Bill 2010 would add unneeded bureaucracy to an already difficult process of getting treatment for a foster child.
Carey Jo Grace, representing West Virginia’s Our Children Our Future, argued against adding another agency to the already difficult life of a foster child in the state.
“These children need love and support, not more red tape,” Grace said.
Other members of the public argued that moving care from the hands of the state to private insurance companies who may profit off of children being in the foster system could have negative effects.
Stephen Smith, a West Virginia foster parent to a five-year old son, came out during the meeting in strong opposition to the bill.
Smith argued he does not want his son’s care in the hands of a managed care organization, where an employee’s job depends on the profit motives of the insurance company.
Smith compared the plight of West Virginia foster parents to the biblical story of David and Goliath, arguing, “We have no high-powered lobbyists like you do. But ask yourself this: why does a bill that claims to help foster parents have a small army of foster parents fighting against it?”
Those in defense of House Bill 2010 argued for the ability of MCOs to bring comprehensive and specialized care to West Virginia foster children, who oftentimes have to go without.
Patricia Fast, representing The Health Plan of West Virginia, advocated for House Bill 2010. Fast, who works in an executive position with a state MCO, argued the state can maximize the efficacy of the state foster care system with an integrated approach to how healthcare is administered to foster children throughout the state.
“A public/private integration of this care is what is best for the child. We can help the child get the specialized healthcare that they need, when they need it,” Fast said.
Jill Rice, representing UniCare, also supported the bill.
“The use of these MCO’s provides a single point of accountability for families,” said Rice. “MCO’s have the expertise, experience, and organization to maximize comprehensive care. We’ve been a part of this effort to get foster children care in the state since 1996, and we’re well-equipped to handle this.”
Several members of the public liked the intent and content within the bill, but raised concerns about the time frame that the legislation would be implemented.
Jim McKay, representing Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia, wanted the 6-month implementation plan of the bill to perhaps be discussed more, and the input of foster parents to be heard before any further action on the bill occurs.
“We agree that there is an urgency in this issue, but we need to go slower,” McKay said.
The Public Hearing concluded at 10am, but House Health and Human Resources Chairman Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, invited members of the public to attend the House Health and Human Resources Committee meeting at 2 p.m. in 215-E later today, where House Bill 2010 will be further discussed.
