Healthcare

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 828: Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Human Services, fund 5090

SB 828 is a procedural bill that allocates unspent funds from the Department of Human Services' Medicaid State Share Fund (Fund 5090) for fiscal year 2026. It directs $174,483,090 already designated for "Medical Services" to cover ongoing Medicaid provider payments, using money remaining unappropriated after the fiscal year began. This bill does not create new policy or change eligibility - it simply ensures existing unspent Medicaid funds are used for medical services as intended. It directly affects Medicaid providers in West Virginia by securing payment for covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects unspent Medicaid funds to cover ongoing medical provider payments, maintaining current healthcare funding without defunding services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 231: Relating to value-based payment requirements

This bill establishes a value-based payment system for West Virginia's Medicaid addiction care services, shifting from fee-for-service to rewarding providers based on patient recovery outcomes. It directly affects Medicaid providers treating substance use disorders by requiring them to use standardized billing codes starting in 2027 and report on five specific outcome metrics: housing stability, sobriety, avoidance of criminal justice involvement, self-sufficiency (employment/education), and provider transition plans. The bill mandates data collection and analysis by the Bureau for Medical Services to develop these metrics, with value-based payments requiring implementation by 2028. The goal is to create a coordinated care system focused on long-term recovery success rather than fragmented service volume.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires tracking 'avoidance of criminal justice involvement' as a key outcome metric, directly aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShifts Medicaid addiction care to value-based payments focused on recovery outcomes, improving patient care quality and aligning with mental health service support.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 645: Prohibiting surprise billing of ground emergency medical services by nonparticipating providers

West Virginia Senate Bill 645 prohibits non-network ambulance services from charging patients extra fees beyond standard insurance cost-sharing. It requires insurers to pay non-participating ambulance providers directly at 400% of the Medicare rate (or the provider’s billed amount, whichever is lower) within 30 days of a clean claim. Patients cannot be billed for amounts beyond their standard copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, and insurers must provide written denial notices with specific reasons. This applies to ground ambulance services covered under health insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents surprise billing for emergency ambulance services, protecting patients from extra charges and requiring insurers to pay at 400% Medicare rate.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 570: Supplemental Appropriation to Department of Health, fund 8802

This bill (SB 570) allocates $199,476,099 in unspent federal funds to the West Virginia Department of Health's "Rural Health Transformation Program" for fiscal year 2026. It adds a new funding line (Fund 8802, Org 0506) under the Department's Central Office to support this specific program. The funds are designated for rural health initiatives and directly affect the Department of Health's ability to implement these programs. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change, using existing federal funds without new tax implications.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $199M in federal funds to rural health program, directly increasing budget allocation for essential public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $199M to Rural Health Transformation Program, directly funding healthcare services per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 4626: Relating to the establishment of a grant program to fund the United States Food and Drug Administration’s drug development trials with ibogaine

HB 4626 establishes a West Virginia grant program to fund U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug development trials using ibogaine, a substance being studied for treating opioid use disorder and other neurological/mental health conditions. The program requires applicants (e.g., pharmaceutical companies or research organizations) to demonstrate capacity to conduct FDA trials, secure approval for ibogaine as a medication, and commit to establishing a state presence, securing insurance coverage, and ensuring treatment access for uninsured patients. Applicants must submit detailed trial designs, safety protocols, and plans for intellectual property rights and post-approval implementation, with grants administered through a state selection committee. The bill does not approve ibogaine but aims to accelerate its development pathway through state-funded trials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds FDA trials for ibogaine treatment of opioid/mind health conditions, advancing healthcare research and access through grant program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 8, 2026

SB 778: Relating to eligibility for homebound services for exceptional children

SB 778 amends West Virginia law to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants, alongside physicians, to certify students with disabilities as eligible for homebound educational services. This change directly affects families of exceptional children who require homebound instruction due to injury or health conditions. The key provision removes the previous restriction requiring certification only by physicians, expanding who can authorize this service. The bill aims to streamline access to homebound education by broadening the pool of qualified medical professionals who can make this determination.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands eligibility for homebound services by allowing nurse practitioners/physician assistants to certify, removing physician-only restriction and streamlining access for exceptional children in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare provider roles (NPs/PAs) to certify homebound services, improving access for children with health conditions by removing physician-only restriction.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 956: Authorizing physician assistants to own business

Senate Bill 956 removes requirements that physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia must work under direct physician supervision or collaboration. It allows PAs to own medical businesses, practice independently without mandated supervision, and be held to the same standard of care as other licensed healthcare providers. The bill amends specific sections of West Virginia law (§30-3-14, §30-3-15, §31B-13-1301) and adds a new section (§30-3E-21) to formalize these changes, including classifying PAs as a "professional service" under business law. This directly affects PAs by expanding their scope of practice and business ownership opportunities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves supervision requirements for PAs, enabling independent practice and business ownership, which improves healthcare access and aligns PAs with other providers per bill's intent.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 1012: Permitting development of juvenile inpatient substance use disorder treatment beds

SB 1012 amends West Virginia law to permit the development of 60 additional inpatient substance use disorder treatment beds specifically for youth aged 17 or younger in Cabell County. The bill modifies certificate of need requirements that previously restricted new beds in counties with over 250 existing substance abuse treatment beds, making an exception for Cabell County's juvenile beds. This policy change directly affects minors in Cabell County seeking inpatient treatment for substance use disorders by removing a regulatory barrier to expanding specialized care. The provision is limited to inpatient treatment beds exclusively for individuals 17 years or younger.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits 60 additional juvenile substance use treatment beds, expanding access to mental health services for minors in Cabell County by modifying restrictive certificate of need rules.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 580: Updating practice act for WV Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board

SB 580 updates West Virginia's licensing rules for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals, directly affecting radiologic technologists, MRI technicians, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists. Key changes include allowing radiation therapists to earn licensure through direct degree programs (without prior radiography training), restricting denial of licensure to only healthcare-related criminal convictions, and aligning their scope of practice with national standards. The bill also eliminates six-month temporary licenses, transfers oversight of radiologist assistants from the Board of Medicine to the Medical Imaging Board, and adds new definitions to clarify regulations. These updates aim to modernize licensing requirements while maintaining public safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates licensing rules for healthcare professionals, removing unnecessary barriers (e.g., direct degree licensure) and aligning scope of practice with national standards to improve access to medical imaging/radiation therapy services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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