West Virginia An Overview of West Virginia Health Election Policy Issues Update . Federal Races . Senate – Manchin vs. Morrisey Key Races . Congressional District #2 – Mooney vs. Sergent . Congressional District #3 – Miller vs. Ojeda . WV Supreme Court . Division #1 . Former House Speaker Tim Armstead is on the ballot for this seat. Key Races . Division #2 . Congressman Evan Jenkins, Former Senate President Jeff Kessler . WV Senate . Senate District 17 – Tom Takubo vs. Terrell Ellis . Risk of Health Chair reassignment . Senate District 1 – Ryan Ferns vs. William Key Races Ihlenfeld. Senate District 4 - Eric Tarr vs. Brian Prim . Senate District 16 – John Unger vs. Michael Folk . WV House . House Speaker Changes Lead to New Committee Leadership Key Races . House District Health Policy Issues . Prior Authorization . Opioid Prescribing . Immunizations Potential Policy Changes . Certificate of Need . Restrictions on Medicaid . Medicine Board Combination . In 2018, Governor Justice vetoed Senate bill 442 . Legislative interim committees have recommended a fix Prior to the governor’s stated concerns. Authorization . Draft BMS HMO contracts contain language that was in the bill. In 2018, the WV Legislature passed SB 273 modifying prescribing habits for opioids. Opioid . Confusion on days of prescribing. Prescribing . Suboxone . In September 2018, the Joint Committee on Children and Families suggested legislation to modify the current law. The committee will propose a bill removing the immunization officer position and process for medical exemptions. Immunizations . The new bill will propose that individual physicians should decide medical exemptions for vaccines. Likely will be amended to include religious exemptions. Senate leadership make-up could determine the outcome of CON. Certificate of . Ferns is supportive of the elimination of Certificate of Need Need. WV House Race . In 2018, the WV Legislature passed a bill to require low- income individuals to be drug-tested if they are receiving state funds. Medcaid Eligibility . Co-pays . In 2018, an agreed-to bill was proposed to combine the Board of Medicine and the Osteopathic Board of Medicine. The proposed legislation would have required APRNs to Board be under this board. Combination . Senator Takubo lead on the issue in 2018. Engagement The importance of being involved in policy . Your voice needs to be heard. Legislators need to hear from constituents. Why Be . They are not the experts. Involved? . Other competing voices or opposition. Over 1/3 of the WV House will be new members this term. Call and engage with the new members. Education is key. Meet New Members . Become their expert resource. Questions??? . Tom Susman – President, TSG . [email protected] Contact us . Rachel Coffman – Vice President, TSG . [email protected] .