HB 5297 adds $4,906,630 in funding from the state's unappropriated surplus balance to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital for current operating expenses during fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the hospital's budget by redirecting unused state funds that were identified in the Governor's 2026 budget document. The bill does not create new policies or alter existing laws - it simply allocates existing surplus revenue to cover the hospital's operational costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a policy change, and it specifically targets the hospital's designated fund (0413) for the 2026 fiscal year.
SB 1014 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates for providers in West Virginia to address rising costs, as noted in a 2024 state report showing current rates fail to cover service expenses. It expands dental coverage for adults 21+ to include diagnostic, preventative, and restorative services (excluding cosmetic procedures), with a $2,000 annual spending limit per beneficiary. The bill requires the state to implement a dental care system with quality oversight and submit annual cost reports to legislators starting in 2027. A 20% fee increase for dental services must be enacted by December 2028 to align with federal matching requirements.
HB 5216 authorizes West Virginia emergency medical services agencies to establish community paramedicine programs, allowing EMTs and paramedics to provide non-emergency medical services like chronic disease management, health assessments, home safety checks, medication assistance, and post-discharge care under a medical director's supervision. The bill requires agencies to define service protocols, establish training, and coordinate with healthcare providers for at-risk populations. Crucially, it mandates that all health insurers cover these services without prior authorization, aligning with existing emergency services coverage rules. This directly affects paramedics, emergency medical agencies, and patients in communities served by these programs, expanding access to non-emergency care.
HB 5682 redirects $72 million in unused funds from previous fiscal years to support biomedical research at West Virginia medical schools. It expires $37 million from the 2023 Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund and $35 million from the 2017 fund, adding these to the General Revenue surplus for the 2026 fiscal year. The funds are specifically allocated to: $30 million for Marshall University School of Medicine, $5 million for West Virginia University Dental School, $32 million for West Virginia University School of Medicine, and $5 million for the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. This supplemental appropriation expands biomedical research capacity without creating new taxes or spending.
HB 5623, the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, prohibits licensed mental health providers in West Virginia from performing conversion therapy on anyone under 18. The bill specifically bans both direct conversion therapy and referrals to providers offering such services, covering clinical psychologists, social workers, school counselors, and other licensed professionals. Violations would be treated as unprofessional conduct, with first offenses resulting in written warnings and mandatory training, and repeat offenses leading to disciplinary action by licensing boards. This law directly affects minors under 18 and all mental health providers licensed in West Virginia who interact with youth clients.
HB 5476 requires hospitals in West Virginia to maintain an unaltered audit trail for all electronic health care records, showing who made changes, when, and why. It directly affects hospitals (health care providers) and patients, granting patients the right to review their records, request corrections for inaccuracies within five days, and seek $2,000 minimum damages if records are altered without justification. The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that records were improperly altered if no audit trail exists and prohibits hospitals from retaliating against employees who report tampering. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in medical record-keeping while protecting patient rights.
HB 5459 imposes an annual tax on certified health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operating in West Virginia that provide Medicaid services. It establishes tiered tax rates based on Medicaid member months (with higher rates for larger volumes) and non-Medicaid member months, adjusting annually using West Virginia's Medicaid capitation rate changes. Starting July 1, 2027, the tax shifts to a flat 2.5% of each HMO's gross premiums in the state, applying uniformly regardless of membership type. The bill exempts Medicare Advantage plans and certain government health plans as specified in federal law.
HB 5343 establishes a three-year medical adult day care pilot program in Fayette County for older adults and adults with disabilities who need daytime medical supervision but don’t qualify for nursing home care. The program, funded with $750,000-$1.25 million, provides licensed medical oversight, health monitoring, therapeutic activities, and daily support during weekday hours at a community facility. It targets individuals with chronic conditions, cognitive impairments, or those at risk of needing long-term care, aiming to reduce hospital visits, ease caregiver burden, and delay nursing home placement. If successful, the program could expand statewide after evaluation of outcomes like health stability and cost-effectiveness.
SB 994 requires West Virginia Medicaid to set reimbursement rates for outpatient mental health services at the same level as Medicare Part B rates. It directly affects mental health providers in licensed behavioral health centers who offer services like psychotherapy, medication management, and psychiatric evaluations for adults, children, and families. The bill mandates a state board to develop a proposal for these rate increases by July 1, 2026, ensuring Medicaid rates never fall below Medicare rates for identical services. This change aims to improve payment equity for mental health care providers participating in Medicaid.
SB 828 is a procedural bill that allocates unspent funds from the Department of Human Services' Medicaid State Share Fund (Fund 5090) for fiscal year 2026. It directs $174,483,090 already designated for "Medical Services" to cover ongoing Medicaid provider payments, using money remaining unappropriated after the fiscal year began. This bill does not create new policy or change eligibility - it simply ensures existing unspent Medicaid funds are used for medical services as intended. It directly affects Medicaid providers in West Virginia by securing payment for covered services.
