Healthcare

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 576: Relating to powers and duties of Secretary of Department of Health Facilities

This bill (SB 576) requires the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities to continue operating all state-owned health facilities and prohibits the sale or transfer of operations or related property for three specific hospitals - Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, Welch Community Hospital, and William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital - without prior legislative approval. It strengthens existing duties by mandating that the Secretary cannot divest these facilities to private buyers without an act of the Legislature. The bill directly affects the Secretary’s authority and ensures these hospitals remain under state control unless the Legislature explicitly approves a sale.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents privatization of state hospitals, ensuring continued public operation and access to healthcare services without divestment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4674: Relating to prohibiting the use or sale of abortifacients

HB 4674 prohibits the use or sale of "abortifacients" (defined as drugs requiring an FDA prescription or primarily used to cause abortion) in West Virginia. It directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and individuals who mail or prescribe such drugs within the state, with criminal penalties for violations. The bill creates a private right to sue for damages if someone violates the prohibition and defines "medical emergency" narrowly to exclude psychological conditions. Key mechanisms include strict definitions of terms like "abortifacient" and "abortion," and it explicitly excludes exceptions for miscarriage, stillbirth, or ectopic pregnancies.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits abortion drugs, restricting access to reproductive healthcare services and imposing penalties on providers/pharmacies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4899: Requiring all hospitals and medical offices to send a notice to all former or current patients when they turn 18, informing them that if they have had any negative or adverse side effects of a procedure that was performed on them as a child to contact the hospital or office to inform them of the issue

HB 4899 requires all West Virginia hospitals and medical offices to send a notice to patients who were under 18 during a medical or surgical procedure when they turn 18. The notice informs them that if they later experience negative or adverse effects from that childhood procedure, they should contact the original provider. This bill amends the West Virginia Medical Practice Act (§30-3-7) to mandate this notification process, directly affecting former pediatric patients turning 18. It establishes a specific mechanism for providers to proactively share this information without altering medical standards or creating new penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates patient notification for childhood procedure side effects, protecting patient rights and safety under healthcare policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4009: Relating to the creation of the Portable Benefit Account Act

HB 4009, the Portable Benefit Account Act, creates a new legal framework allowing independent contractors to access portable benefits through individually managed accounts. It directly affects independent contractors and hiring parties (businesses that contract with them), enabling voluntary contributions from hiring parties to fund benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and income replacement. Key provisions require written, opt-in agreements for contributions, prohibit using account contributions to determine worker classification, and mandate that accounts remain tied to the contractor - not the employer - when changing jobs. The bill establishes definitions for terms like "portable benefit account" and "provider," and requires administrative oversight by the Bank Commissioner.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly includes health insurance as a covered benefit in portable accounts, enabling independent contractors to access coverage through voluntary employer contributions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates portable benefits access for independent contractors, expanding health/retirement options typically unavailable to this workforce segment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Gig Economy

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4388: Creating a special revenue account to expand in-state residential treatment capacity for children

HB 4388 creates a special revenue account to expand in-state residential treatment services for children, aiming to reduce reliance on out-of-state placements. It establishes a commission within the Department of Human Services, including agency leaders from child welfare, behavioral health, education, and juvenile justice, to study current placement practices and develop strategies for improvement. The commission will focus on increasing in-state facility capacity, reducing out-of-state placements (starting with older youth in juvenile justice), and improving coordination among agencies, families, and service providers through collaborative approaches like shared resources and updated placement information systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates special revenue account to fund in-state child treatment services, advancing public spending on essential programs without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands in-state mental health treatment capacity for children via dedicated funding and interagency commission, directly supporting pediatric behavioral health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4840: Exempt federally qualified health centers from having to obtain a prior authorization for behavioral health services

HB 4840 exempts federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) from prior authorization requirements for behavioral health services. This bill amends specific sections of West Virginia law (including §5-16-7f) to clarify that FQHCs - community health clinics serving underserved areas - do not need prior approval from insurers for these services. The key mechanism is a direct exemption in the prior authorization process, removing a bureaucratic hurdle for FQHCs to provide mental health and substance use treatment. This change directly affects FQHCs and their patients by streamlining access to behavioral health care without altering prior authorization rules for other providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior authorization barrier for FQHCs providing behavioral health services, improving access to mental health care for underserved communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 347: Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners rule relating to standards of ethics

SB 347 authorizes West Virginia's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners to implement and enforce ethics standards for professionals in the field. The bill specifically approves a previously proposed rule (18 CSR 05) that addresses ethical conduct, which the Board had modified to address legislative committee feedback. This rule directly affects medical imaging and radiation therapy technologists who must adhere to these professional ethics standards. The legislation does not create new policy but formally authorizes the Board's existing rule to become effective.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes ethics standards for medical imaging/radiation therapy technologists, protecting patient rights and maintaining service quality in healthcare.85% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 507: Extending statute of limitations for bringing actions for gender reassignment surgeries

SB 507 extends the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits related to gender reassignment surgeries and gender transition therapies from the standard 2 years to 20 years after the injured person discovers both the injury and its connection to the treatment. It directly affects patients who received these medical services and later experienced complications, allowing them to file lawsuits even if the standard time limit had expired. The bill also invalidates any pre-existing liability waivers for these specific procedures, stating such waivers violate public policy. This change applies to both current and previously time-barred cases involving gender reassignment surgeries, medications, or transition services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends statute of limitations for gender reassignment surgery malpractice claims, protecting patient rights and enabling legal recourse for complications, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 125: Providing medical examination transportation services for students who seek support after experiencing sexual violence

SB 125 requires West Virginia public colleges and universities to provide free, confidential transportation to students seeking a sexual assault forensic medical examination (commonly called a "rape kit" exam) at a hospital. This applies to students who request the exam after experiencing sexual violence, with transportation options including campus staff, rape crisis centers, ride-sharing services, or non-law enforcement vehicles (students cannot be forced to use police transport). The requirement begins for the 2027-2028 academic year and must be implemented "to the extent practicable" while protecting student safety and confidentiality. The bill does not mandate specific transportation methods but ensures students receive support without cost or privacy concerns.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires higher education institutions to provide free, confidential transportation for sexual assault exams, removing barriers to educational access and continuity for students.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free transportation to medical exams for sexual assault victims, improving healthcare access without restrictions or funding limitations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Hospitals

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4222: Relating to authorizing the Department of Health to promulgate a legislative rule relating to diabetes self-management education.

HB 4222 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Health to issue a specific rule (64 CSR 115) that establishes standards for diabetes self-management education programs. This rule, filed with the State Register on July 25, 2025, will directly affect individuals with diabetes in West Virginia who participate in these programs and the healthcare providers offering them. The bill formally approves the existing rule proposal, making it part of state regulations without altering its content. The rule is designed to standardize education on managing diabetes, including topics like diet, medication, and blood sugar monitoring.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApproves standards for diabetes education programs, ensuring consistent quality and access to care for patients, strengthening healthcare service delivery.95% confidence

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