The House Health and Human Resources Committee convened at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, in the House Health Committee Room to consider four pieces of legislation. Three of these bills were Senate bills.
Senate Bill 518 would restrict the sale of dextromethorphan to people in the state of West Virginia over the age of 18. Dextromethorphan is commonly found in cough syrups and cold medicines. This bill would address concerns that come with teenagers using dextromethorphan to get high through the means of ingesting a large amount of cough syrup.
The House Committee on Health and Human Resources amended the bill to require the distributor of dextromethorphan to verify the age of people who wish to purchase drugs containing the ingredient through ID verification. Employees are expected to check ID’s of consumers, unless their appearance reasonably leads them to believe they are over the age of 25.
The committee amendment was adopted unanimously, and Senate Bill 518 was advanced to the House floor with the recommendation that it pass as amended.
Senate Bill 489 was also amended on this day. This bill relates directly to Pharmacy Benefit Managers in the state and the regulations that they must undergo through the Insurance Commission. This bill would provide for licensure of pharmacy benefit managers with the Insurance Commissioner, sets forth minimum reimbursement rates, and requires PBMs report data to PEIA. The licenses would last for two years, and the Insurance Commissioner would be responsible for promulgating licensure fees.
The amendment makes a change to the language of Senate Bill 489 to make the bill more permissive. The amendment would permit PEIA to terminate contracts, but does not require them to do so. The Insurance Commission would still be required to discipline Pharmacy Benefit Managers who do not properly report data. The amendment was unanimously adopted. Senate Bill 489 was advanced to the House floor as amended with the recommendation that it pass.
Senate Bill 545 was also amended technically by the House Health and Human Resources committee to ensure that the bill aligned with legislative rules. This bill would update language in code in regards to required HIV testing, and adjust the testing protocol so it includes more modernized testing methods.
Senate Bill 545 was also advanced as amended to the House floor with the recommendation that it pass.
House Bill 2953 was also considered on this day. This bill would permit critical access designated hospitals in the state to become community outpatient medical centers if they meet certain requirements and choose to do so. The legislation is permissive and would allow critical access hospitals to change their business models to best serve those in rural areas of the state by including outpatient beds and services.
House Bill 2953 was advanced to the House floor without amendment and with the recommendation that it do pass
