Healthcare

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1078: Clarifying requirements of possession and administration of epinephrine in schools

SB 1078 clarifies rules for schools to stock and use epinephrine auto-injectors to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It allows schools to maintain epinephrine supplies without requiring a prior diagnosis for each student or staff member, and permits trained non-medical staff (including bus drivers) to administer it during emergencies if they reasonably believe anaphylaxis is occurring. The bill specifies that epinephrine must be stored securely, accessible only to medical personnel or designated trained staff, and can be used for students with existing prescriptions or in emergency situations. This directly affects schools, students, staff, and visitors who may experience allergic reactions during school activities or transportation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies school epinephrine access rules, enabling faster treatment of anaphylaxis without prior diagnosis, expanding emergency health services access for students.95% confidence

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

HB 5327: West Virginia ALS Care Services Act

HB 5327, the West Virginia ALS Care Services Act, establishes a state program to provide targeted support for residents living with ALS and their caregivers. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to fund three key services: care coordination and education to help navigate healthcare systems, loan programs for assistive technology and reusable ramps (addressing a common financial barrier as ramps aren't typically covered by insurance), and access to multidisciplinary ALS clinics. These clinics consolidate specialized care, reduce the need for repeated specialist visits and emergency care, and aim to improve patient outcomes while lowering long-term healthcare costs. The program directly affects West Virginia ALS patients and their families by enabling them to remain safely at home longer, reducing reliance on costly institutional care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state-funded program providing care coordination, assistive tech loans, and clinic access for ALS patients, expanding healthcare support and addressing financial barriers.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds loan programs for assistive technology, directly advancing tech access for ALS patients as part of healthcare services.85% confidence

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5233: Relating to living anatomical gift

HB 5233 amends West Virginia's anatomical gift laws to specifically clarify rules for *living* anatomical gifts - donations of body parts made while the donor is still alive for transplantation or therapy. It establishes that only adults (18+) can make such gifts, requires clear consent documentation, and defines who can legally act as an "agent" (e.g., via medical power of attorney) to make gifts on a donor’s behalf. The bill also updates key terms like "donor registry" (including driver’s license markings) and specifies that consent must be documented to avoid confusion. This directly affects living donors, medical providers, and organ/tissue procurement organizations in West Virginia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies legal framework for living organ donations, enhancing transplant access and patient rights within healthcare services.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 5442: Relating to training on the uses and indications of certain drugs for pregnant women.

HB 5442 requires hospitals and healthcare providers in West Virginia to complete training on the uses and risks of progesterone and mifepristone for pregnant women, specifically focusing on medication abortion (referred to as "chemical abortion" in the bill). The training covers how progesterone can counteract mifepristone and how to identify/treat complications from medication abortion, developed by the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health. Hospitals providing gynecologic, obstetric, or emergency care must ensure their licensed staff complete this training, with restrictions preventing contracts with organizations defined as part of the "abortion industry." The bill does not change abortion access but mandates standardized education for healthcare providers.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRequires training on counteracting mifepristone (used in medication abortion) and complications, restricting access to abortion services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5553: Relating to participation in federal prescription drug pricing programs.

HB 5553 allows West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and the Department of Human Services to voluntarily join federal prescription drug pricing programs, such as those using international reference pricing models. The bill permits these agencies to negotiate drug prices directly with manufacturers or use federal benchmarks for reimbursement, but only if it saves money for the state and maintains beneficiary access to necessary medications. It explicitly prohibits requiring the state to adopt federal drug lists or override existing state pharmacy benefit rules. Both agencies must report annually to the legislature on program participation, estimated savings, and any access issues.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables state agencies to negotiate lower drug prices while maintaining access, reducing costs for beneficiaries through federal program participation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5112: Prohibiting laws requiring person to receive or use medical products

HB 5112 prohibits any West Virginia law from requiring residents to receive or use medical products, such as vaccines or treatments. It directly affects all West Virginia residents and ensures no penalties (like fines) or loss of benefits (such as services or programs) can be imposed for refusing a medical product or declining to disclose its use. The bill amends health code §16-3-1 to state that no law may coerce medical product use, penalize refusal, or deny benefits based on refusal or disclosure. This applies broadly to all medical products under state law, not limited to specific treatments. The law would override existing or future state mandates requiring medical products during public health emergencies.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits mandates for medical products (e.g., vaccines), restricting public health program enforcement and limiting state requirements for health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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

HB 5022: Relating to expanding the programs to be included in the annual capitation rate review.

HB 5022 expands the annual review of healthcare reimbursement rates to include additional programs beyond the current four (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Waiver, Aged and Disabled Waiver, Personal Care Services, and Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver). The bill requires the Bureau for Medical Services to annually study provider costs - including inflation, staffing expenses, and contract changes - and compare rates with similar programs in other states. Providers must submit financial data to support these reviews, and the bureau must report findings and rate adjustment recommendations to the Joint Committee on Finance each year. This change directly affects healthcare providers serving Medicaid waiver program participants in West Virginia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands annual review of healthcare reimbursement rates to include more programs and study provider costs, aiming to adjust rates based on inflation/staffing to ensure adequate funding for providers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 5681: Relating to empowering qualified certified nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives to prescribe, administer, and dispense prescriptions drugs without a collaborating physician.

HB 5681 would allow qualified certified nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives in West Virginia to prescribe, administer, and dispense prescription drugs without needing a collaborating physician. Currently, state law requires these professionals to have a written agreement with a physician to prescribe medications, but the bill removes this requirement. The legislation amends specific sections of the West Virginia Code governing registered nurses and their practice standards. This change would directly affect nurse practitioners and midwives by expanding their independent prescribing authority for medications.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves physician collaboration requirement for nurse practitioners, expanding access to prescription drugs and improving healthcare access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 773: Requiring Department of Health to report positive alpha-gal tests to CDC

SB 773 would require the West Virginia Department of Health to propose rules adding alpha-gal syndrome to the list of diseases that must be reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alpha-gal syndrome causes allergic reactions to red meat and is often triggered by tick bites. If enacted, healthcare providers in West Virginia would be required to report confirmed cases of this condition to the state health department, which would then share the data with the CDC. This change would improve public health tracking of alpha-gal syndrome cases in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires reporting of alpha-gal syndrome cases to CDC for enhanced public health surveillance, strengthening disease tracking and response capabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 5299: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security - Correctional Units from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance.

HB 5299 adds $84,600 to the medical expenses fund for correctional facilities under West Virginia's Department of Homeland Security (specifically the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation). This supplemental appropriation uses unspent money from the state's General Revenue fund surplus, as identified in the Governor's 2026 budget. The funds are designated solely for inmate medical care during fiscal year 2026 (ending June 30, 2026) and do not create new programs or alter existing laws. This is a routine budget adjustment reallocating existing unappropriated funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $84,600 from unspent surplus for inmate medical care, funding an essential correctional service within state budget.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $84,600 for inmate medical care in correctional facilities, directly funding a necessary corrections service within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $84,600 specifically for inmate medical care in correctional facilities, directly funding healthcare services without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Corrections

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