Healthcare

HB 4089, known as "Jessica Huffman's Law," requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover scalp cooling systems for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that any insurance policy covering chemotherapy must include coverage for these devices - described as tools to prevent hair loss during treatment - as defined by Medicare and Medicaid. This applies to policies issued or renewed after 2026, with coverage subject to standard deductibles and coinsurance like other medical benefits. The law directly affects cancer patients seeking hair preservation and insurers offering chemotherapy coverage.

HB 5074 changes how revenue from West Virginia's medical cannabis program is allocated. For fiscal year 2026, it directs $3 million to the Supreme Court for a child protection pilot, $10 million each to West Virginia University and Marshall University for ibogaine research, and $5 million to homelessness services, with remaining funds reverting to general revenue. Starting July 1, 2026, annual allocations will be: 15% to the Medical Cannabis Bureau for administration, 15% to the Department of Agriculture for cannabis testing, and 45% split among the Fight Substance Abuse Fund (20%), university research (10% each to Marshall and WVU), a Child Protection Commission (10%), and law enforcement training programs (40%). These changes apply to ongoing revenue from medical cannabis taxes, not new taxes or fees.

SB 649 requires West Virginia Medicaid to cover home blood pressure monitoring devices for specific enrollees: pregnant individuals or those within 12 months postpartum who have been diagnosed with uncontrolled hypertension. The bill mandates that covered devices must be validated by the U.S. Blood Pressure Validated Listing and includes coverage for an extra blood pressure cuff. Medicaid providers must also receive reimbursement for related services, such as patient training, interpreting readings, and delivering co-interventions. This policy directly affects Medicaid recipients with hypertension during pregnancy or postpartum, expanding access to essential monitoring tools.

This bill prohibits the distribution or prescription of "abortifacients" (drugs intended to cause abortion) within West Virginia. It directly affects licensed medical professionals (like doctors and pharmacists) and anyone distributing such drugs, with violations carrying felony penalties (3-10 years imprisonment) for non-professionals and potential license revocation for medical providers. Key provisions include banning the mailing, sale, or dissemination of abortifacients without a valid prescription, requiring medical professionals to attest to compliance, and creating a civil lawsuit option for affected parties. The law includes exceptions for medical emergencies - defined as situations where an abortion is necessary to prevent serious risk of death or life-threatening impairment to the patient.