Overview of the Joint Commission on Health Care in Virginia
The Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) in Virginia, established in 1992, focuses on various aspects of health care provision, regulation, insurance, and delivery to ensure quality and cost-effective services for Virginians. It addresses policy areas such as health insurance, access to care, cost and quality, workforce issues, healthy living, behavioral health care, and long-term care. The JCHC consists of members from the House of Delegates, Virginia Senate, and Secretary of Health and Human Resources, working with a dedicated staff to provide impartial analysis and policy recommendations.
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Overview of the Joint Commission on Health Care Michele L. Chesser, Ph.D. Executive Director Joint Commission on Health Care
2 Background The Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) was created by the 1992 session of the General Assembly to study, report, and make recommendations on all areas of health care provision, regulation, insurance, liability, licensing, and delivery of services. JCHC seeks to ensure that the greatest number of Virginians receives quality cost-effective health care and long-term care services. Note: JCHC is not the Joint Commission (formerly known as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations JCAHO) which is a national organization based in Illinois.
3 Mission of the JCHC JCHC focuses on five main policy areas: health insurance and access to care for the uninsured health care cost and quality health workforce and healthy living issues behavioral health care and long-term care.
4 Membership of the JCHC Ten members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House. Eight members of the Virginia Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources is an ex officio member.
5 JCHC Members in 2016 Delegate John M. O Bannon, III, Chair Senator L. Louise Lucas, Vice-Chair Del. Kaye Kory Del. Benjamin L. Cline Del. T. Scott Garrett Del. Riley E. Ingram Del. Christopher P. Stolle Del. David L. Bulova Del. Roslyn C. Tyler Del. Patrick A. Hope Del. Christopher K. Peace Sen. George L. Barker Sen. Charles W. Carrico, Sr. Sen. John C. Miller Sen. John S. Edwards Three Senate Vacancies to be filled during the reconvene session in April, 2016 The Honorable William A. Hazel, Jr. Secretary of Health and Human Resources
6 Role of JCHC Staff JCHC has a full-time staff of five: an executive director, 3 health policy analysts and a publications/operations manager Provide impartial, apolitical analysis of issues involving health care, behavioral health care, and long-term care Identify a range of policy options for consideration by the Joint Commission Assist in supporting legislation and budget amendments that the members introduce on behalf of JCHC.
7 Study Process Studies are referred: By the General Assembly via study resolution or letter, By individual General Assembly members for JCHC approval, & By authority of JCHC as a standing legislative Commission. Staff research and presentation of Studies (May-October) Most study presentations include a list of policy options for JCHC members consideration Public comments received (after briefing of study) Received public comments are summarized and presented at the next JCHC meeting JCHC consideration of decision matrix and vote on legislative package (November) General Assembly Session (January through February or March)
8 Primary Legislative Committees Addressing Health, Behavioral Health, and Insurance Issues Senate Education and Health Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Senate Courts of Justice Senate Commerce and Labor Senate Finance (Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources) House Health, Welfare, and Institutions House Courts of Justice House Corporations, Insurance, and Banking House Appropriations (Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources)
JCHC Legislation HB 900 - Stolle - Licensure and practice of associate physicians Authorizes the Board of Medicine to issue a two-year license to practice as an associate physician to an applicant who is 18 years of age or older, is of good moral character, has successfully graduated from an accredited medical school, has successfully completed Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, and has not been engaged in a postgraduate medical internship or residency training program. The bill requires all associate physicians to practice in accordance with a practice agreement entered into between the associate physician and a physician licensed by the Board and provides for prescriptive authority of associate physicians in accordance with regulations of the Board. The bill requires the Board to promulgate such regulations to be effective no later than July 1, 2018 Final actions on bill: 02/02/16 House: VOTE: PASSAGE (94-Y 4-N) 02/25/16 Senate: Continued to 2017 in Education and Health (9-Y 6-N)
JCHC Budget Amendment to Fund New GME Program Budget Item Item 306 #19c Provides $1.3 million from the general fund and an equivalent amount of federal matching funds the second year to increase the number of medical residency slots funded through Medicaid. The average residency slot is estimated at $100,000 a year and this funding would create 25 the second year. Half of the slots would be dedicated to primary care and the remainder for high-need specialties. Preference will be given to residency programs in community and rural areas that are underserved.
New Studies Referred to JCHC in 2016 HJ 61 Requested by Del. Stolle - Life-prolonging care Directs the JCHC to study current legal and regulatory requirements regarding the medical appropriateness of life-prolonging care and options to clarify due diligence and the appropriate course of action when no physician can be found to carry out a patient's requests.
New Studies Referred to JCHC in 2016 HJ 65 Requested by Del. O'Bannon - Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth Directs the JCHC to study the benefits and costs of expanding the mission of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to include additional issues affecting youth health, including issues related to behavioral health, injury prevention, hunger, and diabetes.
New Studies Referred to JCHC in 2016 SJ 71- Requested by Sen.Carrico, Sr.- Placement options for individuals with brain injury Directs the JCHC to study placement options for individuals with brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, or dementia who experience aggression. In conducting the study, the Commission shall identify the various placement options and identify the barriers to placement for such individuals and make recommendations for improving access to safe, appropriate placements.
New Studies Referred to JCHC in 2016 Via Letter -Del. Filler-Corn Palliative care Directs the JCHC to study whether, and if so how, to improve quality and delivery of patient centered and family focused care in Virginia by establishing a State Advisory Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life, a palliative care consumer and professional information and education program, and a palliative care access initiative in the state.
New Studies Referred to JCHC in 2016 Via Letter -Del. Filler-Corn Religious exemptions for vaccinations. Directs the JCHC to study whether to remove the religious exemption for vaccinations of children in public schools.
17 Internet Address Visit the Joint Commission on Health Care website: http://jchc.virginia.gov Contact Information mchesser@jchc.virginia.gov 900 East Main Street, 1st Floor West P. O. Box 1322 Richmond, VA 23218 804-786-5445 804-786-5538 fax