Public Comments

This is the laziest piece of partisan legislation I’ve ever seen. Just buy Trump coin instead of putting your name on something so stupid.

• The median in-network rate, tied to the metropolitan statistical area, excluding any in-network cost-sharing;
• The amount that the plan would typically pay an out-of-network provider for such services, such as the usual, customary and reasonable rate, excluding any in-network cost-sharing; or
• The amount that would be paid under Medicare, excluding any in-network cost-sharing.

My son Aaron Hager was killed by a drunk driver on his way to work. He was a father, a husband and so much more to his family. He was 32 years old just trying to provide for his wife and kids. if you’re out drinking and driving, you are making that decision to get behind the wheel. And if you kill somebody while doing that, it should be murder! That is exactly what this man did to my son. He murdered my son. He walked away with no scrapes or anything. My family mourns every day for my son. This drunk driver destroyed my family. We were told that he would only get between 10 to 15 years why my son lays in the ground I can never see his children grow up. To me that’s not very fair at all. He should be charged with murder! So these laws do need to change and maybe people would stop being so damn stupid and getting behind a wheel while they’re drunk and taking pills too.

1. Pass the bill!!

I work for Berkeley County Schools and support House Bill 4467.

During a pregnancy, I experienced medical complications that required early labor intervention and doctor-ordered bed rest. At that time, I had already used much of my available leave for family medical needs. When I needed leave for my own pregnancy-related medical care, I had no remaining days and was forced to go unpaid.

A coworker attempted to donate sick leave to me, but the request was denied because my pregnancy complication did not fall within the limited conditions allowed under existing policy. Although the leave was medically necessary, it was excluded due to narrow definitions.

This bill would address that gap by clearly allowing pregnant employees and mothers of newborns to access the sick leave bank for maternity-related needs. Pregnancy complications do not always fit into a rigid list, and employees should not be penalized for that.

I urge you to support House Bill 4467 to ensure fair and consistent treatment of school employees during pregnancy and childbirth.

Greetings,

I am writing as a constituent, and most importantly, as a follower of Jesus Christ and an Episcopalian in the state of West Virginia.  Jesus drew near to the hurting and the addicted, and confronted the shame and stigma that so many people face. 

I urge you to oppose House Bill 4413, which would repeal West Virginia’s existing syringe services program statute and make syringe services programs unlawful.  Without syringe services, many high-risk individuals disengage entirely, increasing unsafe injection, needle litter,  and preventable disease transmission—costs that will ultimately be borne by taxpayers and the health care system.

There are few syringe exchange services in our state who already operate under very restrictive guidelines.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), syringe services are associated with a 50% reduction of HIV and Hepatitis C incidence.  They also note that those who access syringe services are five times more likely to seek recovery services than those who do not.  

West Virginia continues to face some of the highest rates of overdose, HIV, and hepatitis C in the nation. Syringe services programs are proven to reduce the spread of infectious disease, prevent overdose deaths, and serve as a primary point of contact connecting people to treatment, naloxone, and medical care.

Replacing regulation with prohibition and civil penalties will not eliminate syringe access.  It will push it underground, reduce oversight, and worsen public health outcomes. The 120-day transition period offered in the bill is also unworkable, as providers are barred from offering the very services patients rely on during that transition.

West Virginia should strengthen and improve oversight of syringe services programs—not ban them outright. I urge you to oppose this bill and support policies grounded in evidence, fiscal responsibility, and the health and safety of our communities.

You will be in my prayers through the legislative session.  

Sincerely,

The Very Rev. Tommy Sheppard Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church Moundsville, WV

Justice for Baylea!

• It’s time laws were made to fit the crime

Greetings,

I am writing as a constituent, and most importantly, as a follower of Jesus Christ and an Episcopalian in the state of West Virginia.  Jesus drew near to the hurting and the addicted, and confronted the shame and stigma that so many people face. 

I urge you to oppose House Bill 4413, which would repeal West Virginia’s existing syringe services program statute and make syringe services programs unlawful.  Without syringe services, many high-risk individuals disengage entirely, increasing unsafe injection, needle litter,  and preventable disease transmission—costs that will ultimately be borne by taxpayers and the health care system.

There are few syringe exchange services in our state who already operate under very restrictive guidelines.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), syringe services are associated with a 50% reduction of HIV and Hepatitis C incidence.  They also note that those who access syringe services are five times more likely to seek recovery services than those who do not.  

West Virginia continues to face some of the highest rates of overdose, HIV, and hepatitis C in the nation. Syringe services programs are proven to reduce the spread of infectious disease, prevent overdose deaths, and serve as a primary point of contact connecting people to treatment, naloxone, and medical care.

Replacing regulation with prohibition and civil penalties will not eliminate syringe access.  It will push it underground, reduce oversight, and worsen public health outcomes. The 120-day transition period offered in the bill is also unworkable, as providers are barred from offering the very services patients rely on during that transition.

West Virginia should strengthen and improve oversight of syringe services programs—not ban them outright. I urge you to oppose this bill and support policies grounded in evidence, fiscal responsibility, and the health and safety of our communities.

You will be in my prayers through the legislative session.  

Sincerely,

The Rev. Scott F. Williams

Priest-in-Charge, Trinity Episcopal Church, Morgantown

Justice for Bailey please pass Bailey’s law.

I totally agree with this law justice for baylee

1.  The punishment should be life in prison for dui causing death but this is a start! Hopefully they pass it soon and my sister in laws brother’s murderer will get the max 30 instead of 15. Driving under the influence of anything is 100% a choice just like pulling the trigger and 💀someone.

1. My family lost a very special person when we lost Baylea, I can’t tell you in words what her loss has meant to us she was there for us when we needed her the most. I feel anyone you chooses to drink and drive should be punished to maximum punishment and it shouldn’t be what it is now. They need a reason not to do it make it stricter make them scared to get behind a wheel. Please because the laws we have now is a slap on the wrist make them realize they made a choice and see what they are taking away. She was a daughter, wife, sister,aunt,  and a future mother.