Healthcare (Long-Term Care)

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

HCR 29: Requesting Joint Committee study the feasibility of establishing a flexible, short-duration, on-demand respite care program for seniors and caregivers

This bill asks a state committee to study whether West Virginia should create a flexible respite care program for seniors and their caregivers. The proposed program would allow families to schedule short-term, on-demand assistance for specific needs like medical appointments or personal obligations, rather than being limited to fixed weekly service blocks. The study will examine costs, potential savings from delaying nursing home placement, and how to fund and manage the program, especially in rural areas with fewer resources. If the committee finds the idea feasible, it will recommend new legislation to establish the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill proposes establishing a respite care program for seniors and caregivers, improving access to health services and supporting caregiver needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 954: Relating to health insurance for living organ donors

SB 954 prohibits health insurers in West Virginia from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or canceling sickness, disability, or long-term care insurance policies solely because someone is a living organ donor. The bill applies to policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2026, and specifically bans insurers from: (1) refusing coverage based on donor status, (2) requiring donors to stop donating to maintain coverage, or (3) otherwise discriminating against donors in policy terms. It directly affects living organ donors and insurers regulated under West Virginia's health insurance laws. The legislation ensures donors cannot face financial penalties for their altruistic act through their health insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying coverage or raising premiums for organ donors, protecting access to health insurance and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

HB 5413: Relating to the Central Abuse Registry

HB 5413 creates a Central Abuse Registry managed by the West Virginia State Police to track individuals convicted of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property involving children, incapacitated adults, or adults receiving behavioral health services in specific settings like residential care facilities, day care centers, or home care. It requires registrants to provide personal details (name, DOB, SSN) and pay an annual $125 fee to the circuit clerk, with fees funding mental health services for State Police employees. The registry combines existing requirements, so those already registering as sex offenders only pay one $125 fee instead of separate fees. Failure to pay the fee does not violate supervised release, but unpaid fees may result in a recorded judgment lien.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates registry tracking abuse offenders and funds mental health services, strengthening oversight and rehabilitation programs in criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates $125 annual fees from registry registrants to fund mental health services, directly advancing healthcare funding per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Long-Term Care Mental Health

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

HB 5610: Authorizing Monitoring Devices in Long-term Care Facilities

HB 5610, titled the "Granting Relatives Access to Monitor Act" (GRAM'S Act), allows residents of West Virginia long-term care facilities (such as nursing homes) or their authorized representatives (like guardians or attorneys in fact) to install electronic monitoring devices (cameras or audio recorders) in their rooms. To do so, the resident or representative must pay for the device and installation (excluding electricity), complete a facility-provided form, and obtain consent from other residents sharing the room. The bill requires facilities to provide consent forms and prohibits unauthorized monitoring, with violations treated as license violations subject to criminal penalties. This directly affects residents seeking monitoring for safety, their families, and long-term care facilities managing these requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows monitoring devices in long-term care facilities to protect resident rights and safety, aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare settings.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

Track

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

HB 5242: State Living Donor Protection Act

HB 5242, the State Living Donor Protection Act, prohibits West Virginia insurers from denying or limiting life insurance, major medical coverage, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance based solely on a person's status as a living organ donor. It directly affects living organ donors who might otherwise face coverage denials, premium increases, or policy cancellations due to their donation status. The bill bans insurers from refusing coverage, requiring donors to forgo organ donation as a condition of coverage, or discriminating in policy terms solely because of donation status. These protections apply to all insurers offering such policies in West Virginia, ensuring donors are not penalized for their life-saving actions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying/limiting coverage based on living donation status, directly protecting donor access to health insurance and aligning with patient rights protection in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5343: Establish a medical Adult day care pilot program in Fayette County.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a funded medical adult day care program providing health monitoring and support for vulnerable adults, expanding access to healthcare services and increasing state healthcare funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5664: To create the West Virginia Cares Fund

HB 5664 proposes creating the West Virginia Cares Fund, a state-run long-term care insurance program funded through payroll deductions for eligible state employees. It would provide a daily benefit of $100 for 365 days annually to cover approved services like in-home care, community-based support, and skilled nursing facility care. The bill aims to address the lack of affordable long-term care insurance, which leaves over 90% of seniors uninsured, by offering coverage through employee payroll premiums instead of out-of-pocket costs. This would allow beneficiaries to choose care settings (home, community, or facility) while maintaining current service options and seamless transitions from existing funding sources. The bill is currently in committee referral after its February 2026 introduction.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state-run long-term care insurance fund with payroll funding, expanding coverage for seniors lacking affordable options (90% uninsured), directly advancing healthcare access through new insurance program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates state-funded long-term care insurance benefit for state employees, expanding worker benefits through payroll deductions for covered services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4348: Relating to health insurance for living organ donors

HB 4348 prohibits health insurance companies in West Virginia from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or canceling policies for individuals who have donated an organ while alive (living organ donors). The law specifically applies to sickness, disability, and long-term care insurance policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2026. Insurers cannot refuse coverage, limit benefits, or impose higher costs solely because someone is a living organ donor, even if no additional health risks are present. This directly protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination while ensuring they maintain access to these essential coverage types.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying coverage or raising premiums for living organ donors, protecting patient rights and ensuring access to health insurance coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4733: To mandate coverage for breastfeeding and lactation consultant services

HB 4733 requires most health insurance plans in West Virginia to cover breastfeeding and lactation consultant services without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance starting January 1, 2026. It applies to enrollees (including children) under health benefit plans, defining covered services as outpatient support during pregnancy and postpartum provided by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants or certified lactation counselors. Medicaid will reimburse providers meeting program requirements, and insurers must include this coverage without reducing other benefits. The mandate excludes dental-only, accident, or long-term care plans, as specified in the bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for breastfeeding/lactation services without cost-sharing, expanding access to maternal health care under health insurance policies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates insurance coverage for breastfeeding services, expanding workplace benefits for new mothers under employment standards95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care Medicaid

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