The Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources has approved five bills to be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that they pass.
SB 398 would create The Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to allow volunteer health practitioners from other states to practice in West Virginia during an emergency.
The bill will be referred to Senate Government Organization.
SB 423 would allow group homes in West Virginia with greater than four members to continue to offer services to up to eight current residents by seeking either a waiver to allow these services or a state plan amendment.
Senator Rob Stollings (D – Boone) made an amendment to allow the committee counsel to make any technical corrections necessary, since the counsel was unable to make a committee substitute of the bill in time for the meeting. The amendment was approved.
SB 333 would require all facilities licensed under the provisions of chapter sixteen to access the controlled substances monitoring database.
The committee also approved an amendment by Stollings to ensure that employers do not have access to the database.
The bill will be referred to Senate Judiciary.
HB 2301 would permit individuals to enter into agreements, for direct primary care with an individual or other legal entity authorized to provide primary care services, outside of an insurance plan or outside of the Medicaid or Medicare program and pay for the care.
HB 2431 would allow influenza immunizations to be offered to patients and residents of specified facilities on a voluntary basis based upon recommendations of the Center for Disease Control.
The committee is expected to meet next on Thursday, March 9 at 1 p.m. in 451M.
