SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2022 SESSION

22102704D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5
Offered January 12, 2022
Prefiled December 31, 2021
Directing the Joint Commission on Health Care to study the benefits of hospitals, health systems, and other providers in addressing the health-related social needs of Virginians. Report.
----------
Patron-- Fariss
----------
Referred to Committee on Rules
----------

WHEREAS, hospitals and other health care providers are on the frontlines of combatting health care disparities in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, although during the COVID-19 pandemic innovation to improve community health has grown exponentially and the Commonwealth has moved toward a value-based care model, opportunities remain to reimburse services that address preventative care and the social determinants of health; and

WHEREAS, by reforming both the payment structure and the root causes of poor health, the cost of health care in Virginia will decline and opportunities for a more accessible, affordable, and effective health care system will expand; and

WHEREAS, 15 other states are leveraging Section 1115 waivers to begin using social determinants of health intervention programs as part of delivery reform efforts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Commission on Health Care be directed to study the benefits of hospitals, health systems, and other providers in addressing the health-related social needs of Virginians. The study shall identify opportunities for policy makers to make health care in Virginia more affordable and effective through innovations in care coordination, workforce development, payment options, and improved data collection.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Health Care shall (i) examine the impact and importance of hospital, health systems, and providers in addressing social determinates of health on health outcomes and overall cost; (ii) evaluate the benefits of providers improving ICD-10-CM coding for social determinants of health, including reimbursement by commercial insurance and managed care providers; (iii) determine the value to health outcomes and cost savings of providing a broad structure for a community-based workforce, including the ability to bill commercial insurance and managed care for the preventable service and social care they provide; and (iv) provide recommendations to the Department of Medical Assistance Services regarding the application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a Section 1115 demonstration waiver for Medicaid to cover evidence-based nonmedical services that address specific social needs that are linked to health and health outcomes.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Health Care for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Health Care shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2022, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Health Care intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.