Healthcare

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

HB 4248: Relating to authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to promulgate a legislative rule relating to mental health parity.

This bill authorizes West Virginia's Insurance Commissioner to implement an existing proposed rule (114 CSR 64) regarding mental health parity. It formally approves a rule filed on April 16, 2025, which requires health insurance plans to provide equal coverage for mental health services as they do for physical health services. The rule directly affects insurance companies and mental health providers by mandating parity in coverage. This is a procedural authorization of an already proposed rule, not a new policy change.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for mental health services as physical health, advancing parity and patient rights per the rule requiring equal treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 439: Creating Residential Treatment Capacity Expansion Fund

SB 439 creates a special fund within West Virginia’s Department of Human Services to expand in-state residential treatment capacity for children in care. It establishes a commission (including agency heads, courts, and service providers) to study current placement practices, reduce out-of-state placements by 10% annually (50% within three years), and identify gaps in in-state services. The bill requires the commission to make annual recommendations on improving collaboration between agencies, developing community-based alternatives, and ensuring cost-effective care. This directly affects children needing residential care, families, and state agencies like DHHS, Behavioral Health, and Juvenile Services. The fund will support implementing these recommendations to keep children in state facilities rather than out-of-state placements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund to expand in-state mental health treatment capacity for children, reduces out-of-state placements, and funds service improvements per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 18, 2026

HB 4359: Exempt an existing hospital under certificate of need to move their facility up to 10 miles to a new location

HB 4359 amends West Virginia law to add specific exemptions from the certificate of need (CON) process for health care facilities. The bill lists 18 exemptions, including allowing hospitals to move within 10 miles without a new license (as referenced in the title), acquiring CT scanners under certain conditions, adding research services, renovating facilities without expanding size, and establishing community mental health centers. These exemptions directly affect hospitals, clinics, and health care providers seeking to modify services, equipment, or locations without state approval. The key mechanism requires facilities to file applications and meet specific criteria, such as maintaining accreditation for CT scanners or avoiding bed capacity changes during renovations. The bill focuses on streamlining regulatory processes for existing health care providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces regulatory barriers for hospitals, enabling relocations within 10 miles and establishing community mental health centers, improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 151: Exempting life insurance cash value from Medicaid eligibility calculations

SB 151 exempts the first $25,000 of cash value in a life insurance policy from Medicaid eligibility calculations in West Virginia. This directly affects individuals applying for Medicaid who hold life insurance policies with accumulated cash value. The bill changes how Medicaid assesses assets by excluding this specific amount, rather than counting it toward the applicant's total resources. This policy adjustment aims to prevent applicants from losing Medicaid eligibility due to modest life insurance savings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts life insurance cash value from Medicaid asset count, preventing loss of coverage for applicants with modest policies, expanding access to healthcare benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 663: Allowing parents to refuse family court-ordered medical procedure of child against parents' wishes

This bill (SB 663) prohibits West Virginia family court judges from ordering medical treatment for a child when a parent objects, except in cases of medical neglect. It directly affects parents who can refuse court-mandated procedures and family courts that can no longer override parental objections in non-neglect cases. The key provision amends state law to block judges from compelling medical care against parental wishes, maintaining that medical neglect cases remain outside this restriction. The policy change limits judicial authority in family court medical disputes without altering standards for neglect cases.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts court-mandated medical procedures for children when parents object, limiting access to healthcare in non-neglect cases, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of limiting patient access.85% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 87: Relating to licensing of dietitians and nutritionists

This bill requires individuals to hold a state license to use the titles "dietitian," "licensed dietitian," or "nutritionist" and to provide medical nutrition therapy in West Virginia after June 30, 2026. It restricts the use of these titles without a license, while exempting certain activities like marketing food products without those titles, existing licensed health professionals providing nutrition care within their scope, students under supervision, military personnel, and WIC program staff. The bill also defines "qualified supervisor" requirements and clarifies that federally trademarked nutrition credentials do not replace state licensing. It directly affects professionals seeking to use these titles or provide medical nutrition therapy services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires licenses for dietitians/nutritionists to protect public health via qualified practitioners, aligning with healthcare quality standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Tags Licensing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SJR 7: Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment

This Senate Joint Resolution proposes adding a constitutional amendment to West Virginia's Bill of Rights, guaranteeing individuals the right to make reproductive decisions - including contraception, fertility treatment, pregnancy continuation, miscarriage care, and abortion - without state interference. The amendment prohibits the state from restricting these rights unless it uses the "least restrictive means" to protect health, with abortion allowed after fetal viability only when necessary to protect the patient's life or health, as determined by a physician. It defines "fetal viability" as the point a fetus can survive outside the womb with medical care, assessed case-by-case by a treating physician. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election to take effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees reproductive healthcare access without state interference, protecting patient rights to abortion, contraception, and pregnancy care per constitutional amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 107: Requiring medical insurance providers to include infertility services in policies

This bill requires all health insurance providers in West Virginia to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and fertility preservation services. It mandates coverage for medically necessary fertility care - including evaluations, medications, and donor services - and specifically requires coverage for fertility preservation (like egg or sperm freezing) before medical treatments known to impair fertility, such as chemotherapy. The law applies to all group health insurance policies and prohibits insurers from imposing separate deductibles, copays, or limits on these covered services. This directly affects West Virginia residents with infertility diagnoses or those needing fertility preservation before medical procedures, ensuring access to these services through their insurance plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for infertility services, expanding patient access to fertility care and treatment per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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

HB 4335: Relating to Medicaid providers

HB 4335 requires West Virginia's Medicaid program to process provider enrollment applications within 5 business days of receipt and mandates managed care organizations to complete provider credentialing within 60 days. The bill establishes a unified electronic platform for all Medicaid provider applications, renewals, and documentation, eliminating paper submissions starting July 1, 2026. It also sets penalties for managed care organizations that miss deadlines, including monetary sanctions or "credentialing-by-default" by the Department of Human Services. This bill directly affects Medicaid providers (like doctors and clinics), managed care organizations, and the Department of Human Services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill accelerates Medicaid provider enrollment/credentialing timelines, mandates electronic processing, and imposes penalties for delays - improving access to healthcare services and streamlining provider participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medical Licensing

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 464: Requiring insurance coverage for biomarker testing

SB 464 requires health insurance plans in West Virginia, including the Public Employees Insurance Act, to cover biomarker testing when ordered by a physician for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of a disease, provided the test is medically indicated and has clinical utility. Biomarker testing - such as analyzing tissue or blood samples to identify gene mutations or protein markers that guide treatment decisions - must be based on evidence like FDA approvals, national medical guidelines (e.g., from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network), or Medicare coverage determinations. Insurers must provide a clear online process for appealing coverage denials and avoid requiring multiple biopsies that disrupt care. The bill does not cover routine screening before a diagnosis and mandates the Public Employees Insurance Agency to report implementation costs to the legislature after one year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing, expanding patient access to diagnostic services without financial barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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