Public Comments
2026 Regular Session HB4392 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Lisa Lefferts on February 3, 2026 09:35
I am Lisa Lefferts, a science consultant. Previously I was Senior Scientist at the independent Center for Science in the Public Interest.
Before that, I served on FDA’s Food Advisory Committee when it considered synthetic food dyes in 2011.
I was also the main author of the successful petition to FDA to ban Red 3, a cancer-causing food dye.[i]
I am grateful to West Virginia for being a leader in protecting children from unnecessary harmful ingredients in their food – and now in their medicines. Thank you!
The bottom line is, “Synthetic dyes can cause or exacerbate neurobehavioral problems in children.”
That’s a quote from the best assessment on synthetic dyes[ii] ever conducted. By best, I mean, the most comprehensive, rigorous, and transparent. It looked at ALL the evidence, not just some, like other assessments. It rigorously examined the evidence using a systematic, state of the art approach. It’s considered the best not just by me but by at least 30 other scientists and 20 health-focused organizations who wrote in to express their views on the assessment.[iii]
The assessment uses 27 clinical trials, considered “the gold standard” for evidence of causation. These trials were on children, and are designed to hold all other variables constant except for whether synthetic dyes are present or not, so we know that the effect is really from the dyes, and not something else.
Not only do we have all that human evidence, we also have evidence from animals, and from cells and tissues, and all these lines of evidence reach the same conclusion. That strengthens our confidence that dyes really do cause these effects.
By “neurobehavioral effects,” we mean that dyes can cause or worsen conditions like hyperactivity, inattention, sleeplessness, and restlessness. Those are serious effects that can have long-term consequences. Synthetic food dyes affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain, and actually cause microscopic changes in brain structure.[iv]
The federal government is also now on record that synthetic food dyes [quote] “pose real measurable dangers to our children’s health and development” [endquote].[v]
So what the heck are they doing in our food, and in our medicine—even in drugs such as Ritalin, used to treat children with ADHD ?[vi] Good question.
These are unnecessary, cosmetic additions to food and drugs. They can just be left out, or safer colorings derived from plants can be used. Many companies have already reformulated their food and drug products to eliminate synthetic dyes. And some forms of the same drug don’t have dyes. So it’s doable.
Unfortunately, in the case of drugs, there are synthetic dyes not permitted in food that are allowed to be used in drugs and cosmetics, called D&C colors (for Drug & Cosmetic). These have not been studied for behavioral effects in children like synthetic food dyes – FD&C colors – although many have similar chemistry to the synthetic food dyes. Anecdotally, some parents say their children react to these dyes as well.
Keep in mind that many medicines are taken every day, or even multiple times a day. For example, Ritalin is taken twice daily. Vicks Nyquil Children’s Cold and Cough Plus Runny Nose Berry cough syrup, bright red due to the synthetic food dye Red 40, is taken 4 times a day. It all adds up. And of course, these are for people who already aren’t feeling well.
I note that this bill does not have anything to do with the safety of active drug ingredients. The bill targets a handful of non-drug, non-active ingredients in the formulation – ingredients that are not required for the drug to achieve its intended effect, and for which safer alternatives are available.
Thank you for your kind attention, and please let me know if there are any questions I can answer.
[i] Color Additive Petition from Center for Science in the Public Interest, et al.; Request to Revoked Color Additive Listing for Use of FD&C Red No. 3 in Food and Ingested Drugs. Final amendment; order. 90 FR 4628, 1/16/2025. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/16/2025-00830/color-additive-petition-from-center-for-science-in-the-public-interest-et-al-request-to-revoke-color,
[ii] California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children. April 2021. https://oehha.ca.gov/risk-assessment/synthetic-food-dye-risk-assessment.
[iii] Comments from 21 organizations and 31 researchers and health practitioners on OEHHA Public Review Draft:” Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children, Health Effects Assessment.” Available from OEHHA or LY Lefferts.
[iv] OEHHA 2021, op cit, p. 19
[v] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. News Release. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply. April 22, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-phase-out-petroleum-based-synthetic-dyes-nations-food-supply.
[vi] FDA, Medication Guide for Ritalin, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/010187s094lbl.pdf#page=11.
2026 Regular Session HB5035 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on February 3, 2026 08:08
I respectfully oppose HB 5035 because it imposes non-evidence-based restrictions that will reduce access to lawful health care without improving patient safety or public health outcomes.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a clinically recognized, evidence-based medical service for opioid use disorder. Federal agencies including the CDC, SAMHSA, and NIH consistently find that MAT reduces overdose deaths, improves treatment retention, and lowers public costs associated with emergency care and incarceration.
HB 5035 limits access to MAT programs based on proximity to other licensed health care facilities and grants local political bodies veto authority over medical siting decisions. These provisions raise several factual concerns:
- No public-health evidence supports restricting medical services based on nearby health care facilities. Health systems routinely colocate complementary services to improve continuity of care. Proximity alone is not a recognized risk factor for patient harm, diversion, or crime when facilities are properly licensed and regulated.
- Local approval requirements function as indirect barriers to care. Allowing county commissions or municipalities to approve or deny medical facilities substitutes political judgment for medical and regulatory standards. This creates inconsistent access across counties and disproportionately affects rural and low-income patients.
- The bill recreates de facto Certificate-of-Need style barriers. Even where formal CON laws have been reduced, HB 5035 imposes location and approval hurdles that restrict market entry, reduce competition, and limit patient choice—outcomes historically associated with higher costs and reduced access.
- Restrictions conflict with accepted principles of addiction treatment. Separating MAT services from other health care providers disrupts integrated care, increases transportation burdens, and is associated with higher missed-appointment and relapse risk.
- Public safety goals can be achieved through enforcement, not access denial. Existing licensure, inspection, and enforcement mechanisms already address improper practices. Limiting lawful facilities does not address misconduct; it only reduces availability of legitimate care.
2026 Regular Session HB5034 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on February 3, 2026 08:04
I am submitting this comment in strong opposition to House Bill 5034 as currently written. While the bill is framed as a privacy protection measure for genetic and biometric data, it contains serious constitutional, civil-liberties, and ethical flaws that outweigh its stated intent and create long-term risks for West Virginia residents.
1. Fourth Amendment Violations — Warrantless Genetic Surveillance
Genetic and biometric data are among the most sensitive personal identifiers that exist. DNA is not comparable to a name or an address; it reveals identity, family relationships, medical predispositions, ancestry, and immutable biological traits.
HB 5034 allows governmental agency access and use of genetic data through a broad exception and later permits such access “in accordance with a specific state law or a search warrant,” rather than requiring a warrant based on probable cause in all cases. This structure is constitutionally dangerous.
The Fourth Amendment was written to prohibit general searches, dragnet data collection, and suspicionless surveillance. Allowing genetic data to be collected, stored, or accessed under vague statutory authority—rather than a strict warrant requirement—invites exactly the type of abuse the Fourth Amendment was designed to prevent.
A privacy law that does not clearly require a judicial warrant with probable cause and particularity for all government access to genetic data is not a true privacy law.
2. Government “Identity Files” Are Unethical and Dangerous
HB 5034 enables the creation of government-accessible genetic repositories—effectively permanent identity files—without sufficient limits on scope, retention, or secondary use.
Creating files that identify who everyone is, who they are related to, and what biological traits they carry is deeply unethical, even if initially justified for security or public interest purposes. History repeatedly shows that once such databases exist, their use expands beyond their original justification.
These systems enable:
- Family mapping and indirect surveillance
- Error-prone genetic matching that can implicate innocent relatives
- Future expansion of government use without renewed consent
- Permanent tracking potential that cannot be “opted out of”
- DNA was collected for health purposes
- Stored long-term without meaningful consent
- Later accessed or shared for secondary uses
- Applied to individuals before any crime could possibly exist
- Genetic data collected for non-law-enforcement purposes
- Retained and stored without strict deletion limits
- Later accessed by government actors
- Potentially used to investigate crimes that predate the individual
- Government access
- Law-enforcement searches
- Permanent inclusion in investigative databases
- Warrantless genetic surveillance
- Government creation of population-wide identity files
- Suspicionless searches using biometric data
- Ethical abuses that disproportionately affect future generations
- Require warrant-only access for all government use
- Prohibit bulk or suspicionless collection
- Ban secondary and pre-birth investigative use
- Impose strict retention and deletion limits
- Reject the normalization of genetic identity files
2026 Regular Session HB4067 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: rebekah aranda on February 2, 2026 21:44
This bill is an exciting step forward in supporting our childcare providers, workers and in turn, workforce growth.
Specifically, this bill will allow people who work in the childcare field to utilize a scholarship/state subsidy for their own children's care. Currently people working in childcare make very little in terms of hourly pay. As a result, programs have trouble hiring qualified employees which leads to classroom and program closures, and an overall reduction in childcare availability.
See this link for state and county level data on childcare availability and trends in WV: Child Care Access in WV: Mapping the Gap, https://ccaoa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/c89769663d5841e8be9cc2f6a57a6d95
Implementing this bill will incentivize workers to join and remain in the early education field, and reinforce the infrastructure of our programs and facilities by improving worker recruitment and retention.
2026 Regular Session HB4674 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Leigh Ann Evanson on February 2, 2026 16:28
I oppose HB 4674 because the way this bill is written, it will not save lives; it will endanger them. One-third of women will seek a medication-induced abortion in their lifetimes. By criminalizing it, HB4674 turns doctors, pharmacists, and even out-of-state mail order providers into felons who can get 10 years in prison for offering a safe, FDA-approved medical option. What this will do is drive desperate patients underground and block access to care that prevents later, riskier procedures.
As a woman, I resent this government's obsession with controlling reproductive choices over addressing West Virginia's real crises like dismal education rankings and chronic disease epidemics.
HB 4674 defines "abortifacient" so broadly it could ensnare common contraceptives that prevent implantation, chilling access to basic reproductive health tools. It violates women's bodily autonomy and privacy rights enshrined in our state constitution and wastes taxpayer resources on intrusive enforcement. Those funds are much better spent on maternal health, prenatal care, or family support programs our rural communities desperately need. Private civil bounties of $10,000 per case will only fuel vigilante lawsuits, not protect anyone.
West Virginia should expand health care access and support women making deeply personal decisions with their doctors—not police them with felonies and penalties. Prioritize actual public health over ideological overreach and scrap this bill.
2026 Regular Session HB4079 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Leigh Ann Evanson on February 2, 2026 15:36
I oppose HB 4079 which aims to ban so-called “woke words” from government communications. As a woman, I find this bill deeply misguided for several reasons.
First, implies that women’s worth depends on motherhood, which erases the many women who contribute to West Virginia’s communities in other ways. Real respect for women means seeing and valuing us all.
Second, our state ranks 45th nationally in education and struggles with some of the highest rates of chronic disease and cardiovascular illness in the nation. It is absurd to spend taxpayer money and waste legislative time on policing words when you have much more serious challenges to address. Legislators should be focused on boosting literacy, keeping schools and hospitals strong, and addressing preventable disease rather than dictating which medically accurate or inclusive terms are “acceptable.”
Finally, as a public health professional, I know that inclusive language costs nothing, helps everyone feel respected and seen, which leads to more health-seeking behaviors and better health outcomes.
Instead of wasting limited public resources on a culture-war bill, we should invest in improving education, health, and opportunity in West Virginia. Tackle real problems head-on; don't distract us with word bans.
2026 Regular Session HB4070 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Leigh Ann Evanson on February 2, 2026 15:27
I strongly oppose HB4070, which would make “natural immunity” equal or preferred to vaccination.
This bill undermines public health standards and ignores scientific consensus. Natural infection carries the risk of serious illness, death, and long-term complications—while vaccines provide immunity without those dangers.
Classifying natural infection as “equivalent” to vaccination rewards exposure to disease instead of prevention. It endangers vulnerable populations, weakens outbreak control, and confuses the meaning of “fully vaccinated” in health policy and data tracking.
Public health depends on prevention, not infection. Please reject this bill to preserve evidence-based health protections and keep our communities safe.
2026 Regular Session HB4413 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Heather Inscoe on February 2, 2026 14:09
I'm ashamed to see that this bill is being sponsored in both the house and senate. Syringe exchange services help save lives while also cutting down on bloodborne pathogens being passed along to others. Wanting to further harm reduction, including reducing the chance that a person who doesn't use IV drugs gets an infection from a loved one who does, should be at the top of everyone in this area's priority list. West Virginia was hit hard by the opioid epidemic and will continue to be hard hit by it until we, as a people, come together and encourage safe use habits as well as helping people get help when they want/need it.
2026 Regular Session HB4907 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Lani Wean on February 2, 2026 12:45
Good afternoon. My name is Lani Wean, and I’m the West Virginia Field Organizer at Moms Clean Air Force, a national organization that works to protect children from air pollution and toxic chemicals. I am grateful for the opportunity to share with you all the need to restrict the use of pesticides that include paraquat, atrazine, and other harmful substances in close proximity to schools. Thank you for prioritizing the health and safety of our children by introducing and supporting this bill – I ask that each of you vote YES on HB4907.
As you well know, more than 70 countries have banned the use of paraquat, including major agricultural-producing nations like China, Brazil and the European Union, and Turkey. In West Virginia, only a small percentage of farmers use paraquat. However, because the majority of paraquat in our state is used on corn crops, it has the potential to show up in a range of common foods and goods used daily by adults and children alike.
The evidence linking paraquat to severe health impacts is clear. Studies show that those who live, work, or play near areas where paraquat has been sprayed could be twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. What’s more, two recent investigations in California and Pennsylvania found that paraquat is not always being used according to the instructions on the label. And, in 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a review that showed paraquat can linger in the air longer than had been previously estimated. When I think about my friends’ children, my nieces and nephews, and future generations of West Virginians, it breaks my heart to know that we have waited this long to address the use, and especially misuse, of this extremely harmful substance. Our children deserve to learn and play in environments where their safety is assured.
Nearly all pesticides are made from toxic petrochemicals – they are derived from fossil fuels. This bill targets some of the very worst: pesticides that have the potential to seriously harm the health and safety of those working with or near it. Mom’s Clean Air Force fully supports the banning of each substance included in HB4907 within 1000 feet of our West Virginia schools. Pesticide exposure has been linked with harmful health effects in humans, including decreased fertility, cancer, liver damage, thyroid problems, immune effects, and cholesterol changes. Children are particularly vulnerable: their bodies (including the brain and nervous system) are undergoing rapid and delicate developmental phases, and their immune systems are physiologically immature. In addition, children experience higher exposures for their smaller size, and they spend more time near the ground where pesticides often concentrate.
While the 1000-foot marker is a solid first step, evidence shows that health harms such as pediatric cancers may be associated with pesticide applications up to 2.5 miles away from the source. The children in my life – those of my friends, family, and neighbors, are not only at school during the daytime. My good friend’s 5-year-old son, who is one of my favorite human beings on earth, also plays soccer, basketball, and attends after-school activities on school grounds. I do not want the experiences that bring him joy – the core memories for any child – to also be the things that harm him. It is our collective duty as parents and children's advocates, and yours as lawmakers, to protect our youth through the passage of this bill and beyond.
The passing of HB 4907 would impact seven public high schools and 101 public elementary and middle schools in West Virginia. For years, we have allowed these harmful substances to be used too close to the places where thousands of children work and play on a daily basis. I want to thank you for taking this opportunity to make that right, and I appreciate this chance to speak up for my loved ones who are living on the frontlines of this harmful pollution. Moms Clean Air Force strongly supports HB 4907, and I ask that each of you vote YES to pass this legislation. Every child has the right to breathe clean air. Thank you.
2026 Regular Session HB4674 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Chelsea Rae Gunther on February 1, 2026 20:41
I am a West Virginian, and I am proud of my state and our values of independence, family, and community. I oppose this bill because it does not help anyone. It expands government power into private healthcare decisions, doing so with criminal penalties and lawsuits rather than real, tangible support.
This is government overreach, plain and simple. It will not solve the problems families are actually facing in West Virginia, such as access to health care led by health professionals (not legislators), transportation, childcare, and the cost of living. It will only add fear, confusion, and risk by pushing people into silence and delaying care.
West Virginians deserve practical solutions that strengthen families, not laws that punish people and invite more government control over personal medical decisions. I urge you to reject this bill.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Kristi Roop on January 31, 2026 13:09
Please fix our water & sewer that has been failing all my life. I cannot afford to buy water while also paying a bill for poison to come thru the tap. What in the facism is this bill for?? Making a list of people with disabilities is truly a sick thing to do to our state. Especially when you don't say what you would do with this list. How unqualified do you have to be to introduce something like this? The best this bill could do is not hurt the disabled while we desperately need clean water food land & healthcare for when the poison gives us cancer. My mom died last year with cancer in her lymph nodes & 2 years ago I had throat cancer. Take this shamefully bill down & please work to help us combat ICE going door to door & kidnapping people or just shooting them in the street. I understand your job may be difficult but you're not doing your job. You aren't doing this to help anyone!! This could only hurt us even more! All u are doing is creating more suffering for us. Im not trying to change ur mind. It's impossible to argue with someone who has no humanity. You sold your empathy for a promise of wealth in the current admin but I want you to know we oppose this
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Mathew Neil on January 31, 2026 12:17
Good evening, I am writing this in support of the bill as written for cancer screenings for paid fire fighters.
I myself am a paid fireman and have been for the last 8 years. I have also volunteered for the last 20 in Fayette County. In 20 years, the building construction has greatly changed from mostly wooden structures to glued LDL beams and synthetic fibers that off gas with toxic fumes. On top of all of that our bunker gear being infused with toxic substances as well. Coupled with all of that, sleep deprivation elevates that risk even more.
We know going into this job that it’s hazardous but we do it to help people like you and everyone else along the way. It has been proven that this job has a elevated risk of cancer and getting annual checkups and catching it early is one way to help us after we help you and keep us with our families longer after we already spend 24 hours at a time away from them.
Thank you for your time:
LT Neil SCFD
2026 Regular Session HB4168 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Daniel Doyle M.D. on January 31, 2026 12:09
I oppose weakening the current WV law requiring full immunization before children may enter taxpayer supported schools.
The list of required vaccines in §16-3-4 (b) of this bill is a good list, although the omissions of pneumococcal, Hib vaccines are very serious omissions for an individual child; and the omission of influenza is a serious omission for the protections of schoolmates, school staff, and the public.
Other sections in this bill are clearly designed to weaken overall school immunization requirements. They are dangerous and should be stricken from the bill. These sections are:
d. allowing provisional enrollment for unvaccinated. (Once inside, the power of enforcement is greatly weakened.)
f. The added language of "physician assistance or nurse practitioner", "any or all", "may be", " or are not appropriate" converts a narrow medical exemption to a mile-wide exemption and will encourage provider shopping for someone who will comply with the parents' demand. That is one way the opiate epidemic got out of hand in WV. Finding providers who can't, won't, or don't say no to a paying customer.
As it stands this bill pretends to protect public health with its list of 10 required childhood vaccines but the added language makes it a serious threat to child health, school, health, and public health.
This proposed 4168 list contains notable differences from the list promoted and promulgated by RFK Jr's handpicked Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on January 5. Bill 4168 would require ten vaccines; the new CDC list reduced the recommended number of childhood vaccines from 17 to 11. Those 11 are Dtap, MMR, polio, pneumococcal, Hib, varicella, HPV. The new CDC recommendations have been rejected by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians who both now provide independent guidelines. This is where many practicing physicians, including me, now turn for immunization guidance and reliable information.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Ron Hurst III on January 31, 2026 11:43
It's not a perfect bill because it requires notary and it doesn't include philosophical exemption. Vaccine mandates shouldn't even exist. Look to Florida for an example on how to handle these idiotic mandates.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Andrew Eplin on January 31, 2026 10:09
Hello,
I am a firefighter in Huntington WV and a member of IAFF Local 289.
Firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks due to repeated exposure to carcinogens in smoke, building materials, and toxic runoff. Routine cancer screening programs are a proven, proactive measure that save lives through early detection. From a financial standpoint, early diagnosis also results in substantial cost savings for insurance providers and state health systems by avoiding the far greater expenses associated with late-stage cancer treatment, long-term disability, and loss of workforce productivity. Investing in comprehensive cancer screening for firefighters is not only a moral obligation to those who risk their lives to protect our communities, but a fiscally responsible strategy that reduces long-term healthcare costs while preserving experienced, healthy first responders.
2026 Regular Session HB4512 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Christina Knapp on January 31, 2026 09:34
There must be recordings and paper documentation in all cases. Body cameras will be always worn by child
protective service workers; this will include anyone that is speaking to a child or any party involved
in this case. All communications between the worker, GAL and lawyer must be documented. All
phone calls must be recorded, emails and text must be made as evidence in all cases. Parents
are also allowed to make their own recordings on phone calls, in person visits and at all meetings
they are asked to attend even if it is a visit with the child it can be recored. They can also keep their email and text
documentation. All this can be summated to the court as evidence, and no one can tell the parents
they are not allowed to summit their evidence.
2026 Regular Session HB4512 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Christina Dee Knapp on January 31, 2026 09:00
There must be recordings and paper documentation in all cases. Body cameras will be always worn by child
protective service workers; this will include anyone that is speaking to a child or any party involved
in this case. All communications between the worker, GAL and lawyer must be documented. All
phone calls must be recorded, emails and text must be made as evidence in all cases. Parents
are also allowed to make their own recordings on phone calls, in person visits and at all meetings
they are asked to attend even if it is a visit with the child it will be recorded . They can also keep their email and text
documentation. All this can be summated to the court as evidence, and no one can tell the parents
they are not allowed to summit their evidence.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: April Star Husband on January 30, 2026 15:44
Today I delivered the following email (certain personal information redacted) to the sponsors of House Bill 4554:
Subject: HB 4554: support (and inquiry) from your local autistic person
Esteemed Delegates:
My name is April. According to my (liberal) peers, I am one of the "very few" Left-wing supporters of House Bill 4554. While I value this Bill's potential, I question its design.
Please first allow me a short window of introduction.
I was first diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a young child. I was re-diagnosed as an adult while attending college in West Virginia. My adult diagnosis enabled me to, among other things, receive certain accommodations which I assert were necessary for my graduation. I received my bachelor's degree with honors at the age of twenty-nine, eleven years after I first enrolled in postsecondary education.
My autism diagnosis is intrinsic to my individual success and therefore inseparable from both my personal and professional identity.
To summate my concerns:
Popular online Bill tracker "Legiscan" purports of HB 4554: "The purpose of this bill is to create a Persons with Disabilities Registry; and provide for a public records exemption." I don't find that statement to be true on its face.
Your Bill was introduced "to amend the Code of West Virginia...by adding a new article...relating to the creation of a Persons with Disabilities Registry; and providing for a public records exemption."
Nowhere in the introduction of your Bill does it identify the purpose thereof as "creating a Persons with Disabilities Registry" or "providing for a public records exemption." The purpose of the Bill is simply "to amend the Code of West Virginia," and remaining items in the introduction set forth how that will be done.
I desire for this Bill to achieve its intended benefits; however, I respectfully urge that additional consideration be given to the rights of Disabled West Virginians who are the focus of this legislation.
When reviewing the statutory scheme, I can't help but notice that passage of the Bill would add language under a new Article, W. Va. §61-7D, which would follow these pre-existing Articles:
- Article 7, Dangerous Weapons;
- Article 7A, State Mental Health Registry...;
- Article 7B, the West Virginia Second Amendment Preservation...Act; and
- Article 7C, the West Virginia Firearms Marketing Clarification Act.
My takeaway, without regard to the (necessary) public records exemption, is this:
The purpose of creating a Persons with Disabilities Registry is to weigh whether those Disabled Persons are fit to maintain their rights under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution.
I am concerned about the implications of this alignment and would value clarification as to why this statutory scheme was selected. Might you be available for a short phone call before this Bill arrives on the Agenda of the Health and Human Resources Committee? I vow to take no more than 20 minutes of your time.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our Mountain State during this Legislative session. I look forward to hearing from you.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Nolan Rose on January 30, 2026 15:17
Bill 4073, and any other bill that attempts to weaken the immunization of the population for any reason other than medically educated decisions, is incompatible with modern understanding of medicine. Ultimately, the data is very clear on this subject, this bill will create pockets of disease that a few short years ago were considered nearly eliminated. These pockets will lead to completely avoidable deaths, largely of our youth and the medically vulnerable. Religious arguments to attempt to lower the rate of immunized people do not acknowledge that these individual choices endanger the general population. While some individuals may live long, healthy lives without immunization, once immunization rates fall below a critical threshold, the population’s shared defenses collapse and disease spreads rapidly. This collapse of immunity will bring harm to not only those who “chose” to not be immunized, but also many of those who are properly treated for immunizations. So, though the arguments functionally come down to individual freedoms, this “freedom” only leads to unnecessary risk of avoidable death and serious injury. For these reasons, I call on the House to vote no on this bill.
2026 Regular Session HB4989 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Bobby Shaffer on January 30, 2026 14:19
This bill needs to add all Fire Fighters. Not just paid. Volunteers go to fires the sane as the paid departments. Fire Fighters at 9% higher to get caner that anyone else and 14% more likely to die from it.
- Firefighters are 102% more likely to develop testicular cancer than the general population.*
- Firefighters are 53% more likely to develop multiple myeloma than the general population. *
- Firefighters are 62% more likely to develop cancer of the oesophagus than the general population.**
- Firefighters are 21% more likely to develop intestinal cancer than the general population.**
- Firefighters are 26% more likely to develop breast cancer than the general population**
2026 Regular Session HB4947 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 30, 2026 12:50
As a matter of science, public health, and education, I oppose HB 4947.
Immunization policy is based on decades of peer-reviewed medical research, epidemiological data, and real-world outcomes. Vaccines are not ideological tools; they are evidence-based public health measures that have drastically reduced childhood mortality, disability, and community-wide disease transmission. Teaching and requiring immunization is not “belief-based instruction” — it is settled medical science.
HB 4947 undermines science-based education by elevating personal ideology above medical consensus and public safety. By expanding broad exemption pathways without medical grounding, the bill normalizes misinformation and embeds anti-vaccine ideology into public institutions. That is indoctrination — not education.
Children do not choose public health policy. The state has a responsibility to protect minors and vulnerable populations who cannot consent to exposure risks. This bill shifts that responsibility away from evidence-based standards and toward individual belief systems, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks of preventable diseases in schools, child-care centers, and higher-education settings.
Public schools and universities are not churches. They are secular institutions funded by taxpayers and guided by science, not personal doctrine. When the state codifies exemptions that contradict established medical standards, it erodes trust in science education and weakens public health infrastructure for everyone — including immunocompromised individuals who rely on herd immunity to survive.
Education should teach facts. Public health policy should follow evidence. HB 4947 does neither.
For these reasons, I strongly oppose this bill.
2026 Regular Session HB5004 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 30, 2026 11:52
I oppose HB 5004 as written—not because PANS/PANDAS should go untreated, but because the bill continues a diagnosis-by-diagnosis approach to coverage mandates. HB 5004 specifically defines “Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuroimmune Disorders” as PANS and PANDAS and requires Medicaid and certain regulated health benefit plans to cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment when ordered by a licensed physician and supported by peer-reviewed literature or generally accepted standards of care.
While the bill includes parity-style language stating coverage cannot be denied or subjected to more restrictive utilization management solely due to behavioral or psychiatric symptoms, broader parity and medical-necessity frameworks already exist across many coverage types and benefit categories, and the underlying issue is often inconsistent application and enforcement.
This legislation highlights a fairness problem: access to medically necessary immune-mediated care can become dependent on whether a particular diagnosis is singled out in statute, rather than addressed through consistent, systemwide standards. The bill sets a general medical-necessity threshold, but does not provide uniform clinical guideline criteria or utilization standards, which may increase administrative disputes and inconsistent application.
For these reasons, I oppose HB 5004 unless amended to promote consistent, parity-based coverage standards and clearer uniform criteria that can be applied fairly across medically necessary immune-mediated conditions.
2026 Regular Session HB4982 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 30, 2026 11:24
I oppose HB 4982 because it creates an expansive “healthy lifestyles” structure that relies on broad administrative discretion, new data collection in schools, and incentive-based compliance models without clear guardrails against stigma, discrimination, or conflicts of interest.
1.Overbroad discretion / rulemaking: The bill continues the Office of Healthy Lifestyles within the Department of Health and states management will be determined “in the manner” the Secretary decides, which is extremely open-ended. The bill also defines “eligible nutritious food” but assigns the actual criteria to be established by rule, expanding agency power to control what qualifies under state programs.
2.School surveillance concerns: The bill ties the program to school fitness testing and rulemaking for collecting, reporting, and using body mass index (BMI) data derived from student height/weight. Even though it mentions aggregate reporting and confidentiality, BMI tracking in schools can increase stigma and pressure on children and families and should not be expanded without stronger, explicit protections and limits on collection, retention, and downstream use.
3.“Compliance incentives” can create a two-tier system: The bill encourages development of incentives for participation in employee wellness programs and states incentives may be based on completing health questionnaires. That approach can penalize people for privacy choices, disability, mental health, poverty, work schedules, or other medically relevant realities, and can create a de facto “good lifestyle/bad lifestyle” classification.
4.Private funding and influence risk: The Office is authorized to solicit and expend grants, gifts, donations, and other funds, and the bill continues a dedicated Healthy Lifestyles Fund. This structure increases the risk that private-sector priorities influence public health programming, and it needs stronger conflict-of-interest and transparency protections.
5.Mixing public health with value-based gatekeepers: The bill explicitly encourages partnership relationships that include faith-based organizations. Public health programs and Medicaid-adjacent initiatives must be strictly evidence-based and neutral; expanding programs in a way that can be influenced by moral or cultural beliefs risks unequal treatment of marginalized communities.
For these reasons, I urge the Legislature to reject HB 4982 as introduced or amend it to add enforceable privacy protections, anti-discrimination guardrails, strict limits on school data collection, transparency requirements for outside funding, and clear prohibitions on conditioning benefits or access on moralized “lifestyle” compliance.
2026 Regular Session HB4947 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jennifer Holstein on January 30, 2026 11:23
As a public school teacher in West Virginia, I strongly support House Bill 4957. This bill thoughtfully updates our school calendar by reducing the number of instructional days from 180 to 160 while maintaining the same amount of instructional time through longer school days, so students won’t lose valuable learning opportunities.
Importantly, the bill preserves a 200-day employment term for educators, allowing sufficient time for planning, professional development, and collaboration — which ultimately benefits our students.
As teachers, we need schedules that help minimize burnout, increase flexibility, and create more space for meaningful professional work without sacrificing learning time. Allowing county boards to hold public meetings on calendar decisions ensures that educators, parents, and local communities have a voice in what works best for our students.
For these reasons, I urge our lawmakers to support HB 4957 and help modernize West Virginia’s school calendar in a way that strengthens education while supporting teachers and families.
Thank you,
Jennifer Holstein, M.Ed., MBA
2026 Regular Session HB4715 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Lisa Dooley on January 30, 2026 10:38
- Please support House bill 4715. Without going into the details of explaining the bill, my primary goal is to keep my children in West Virginia. My son is a PA. My daughter-in-law is a doctor of medicine, both practicing in West Virginia. We are seeing more opportunities opening up in other states, eliminating the administrative burdens, and want the same opportunity here in the mountain state. Amending the bill to mandate minimum number of hours of patient care before eliminating the administrative burden of signing a contract with an Md is recommended and acceptable. I see a nurse practitioner as my primary care and a physician assistant for my specialty doctors and know first hand of their abilities. I would like the ability to choose who I see for medical visits and alleviate the shortage of care providers in southern West Virginia where I live. This bill answers those needs. Many thanks to the sponsors of this much needed legislation. Respectfully
2026 Regular Session HB4852 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 30, 2026 10:20
I oppose this bill because HB 4852 amends §16-7-2 of the West Virginia Code to revise definitions related to adulterated food and drink under the Pure Food and Drugs Act, but it does not address food insecurity, hunger, or access to affordable food and clean drinking water in West Virginia communities.
The bill focuses on regulatory and labeling standards and does not create programs, funding, or incentives to improve access to nutritious food, grocery retailers, or potable water, particularly in rural and low-income areas where food access is already limited.
West Virginia continues to experience high levels of food insecurity, including among children, and many residents rely on limited retail options with restricted food choices and higher costs. HB 4852 does not include provisions to address these documented access and affordability challenges.
For these reasons, HB 4852 does not respond to the current food insecurity conditions in the state and is insufficient as a measure addressing food-related public health needs.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Rebecca Byrd on January 29, 2026 22:25
I, a tax paying, West Virginian Citizen am against creating a registry for persons with disabilities. What in the dystopian nightmare is this? Why would we need this? This is privileged information that would be dangerous if fallen into the wrong hands. Have we not learned from the dark history of what happened in the 60’s, 70’s, and even 1990’s in the mental institutions in West Virginia? I, fear this is one step away from making care givers of individuals with disabilities give guardianship of these individuals to the state, to making the institutions happen again. Did we not learn from the horrors of the “hospital” in Weston Wv, “Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum”. I beg of anyone who supports this bill to go look up the horrors that happened there. After receiving my undergraduate degree in psychology, I worked in the mental health field. Some of my clients were previously residents of this place. The conditions they lived in were horrible and inhumane. The government would take children with disabilities forcibly away from their parents and placed them into institutions without parental consent, and mistreated them in horrific ways. One terrible thing I learned was at the “Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum” They had a red light, green light system in which all patients were given 15 minutes to eat their meals, regardless of ability. The start of the meal was when the light turned green.. they had 15 mins to eat, when the red light came on, this signaled the end of meal time and their trays were snatched away— regardless if patients had eaten or not. People died of starvation. Look it up. If you support creating a registry, know that West Virginians still remember this dark time. All I am saying is, this bill feels a lot like someone wanting to collect sensitive information about individuals with disabilities. For no good reason. What purpose does this bill serve? We have to learn from West Virginias dark history surrounding the mistreatment of persons with disabilities and surrounding their gross negligence in those asylums that were closed down, in as recent times as the 1990s. DO NOT let this bill pass. Do better West Virginia. We protect our own. We do not need or want this.
2026 Regular Session HB4510 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 29, 2026 20:41
Do y'all want more people to die of covid? because this is how you get more people to die of covid. Yes, it is a real disease, yes it does kill people, despite what some of you may believe.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Douglas Miracle on January 29, 2026 18:34
As a Volunteer fire fighter I have the same chance of contracting cancer as a paid firefighter and we should be included in this .
2026 Regular Session HB4158 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: SS Walker on January 29, 2026 13:46
This needs to be passed. Drug test them all.
2026 Regular Session HB4079 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: SS Walker on January 29, 2026 13:30
This is dumb. There are important bills to consider. Such a stupid waste of time to put up bills such as this.
2026 Regular Session HB4017 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: SS Walker on January 29, 2026 13:18
Faith based should not be considered. These children need help and guidance, not to be told to pray. Providers need to answer to Human Services and other factions of government.
2026 Regular Session HB4810 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jeff Album on January 29, 2026 12:49
Dear Committee Members:
On behalf of Delta Dental of West Virginia (“Delta Dental”), which provides quality dental coverage to approximately 122,365 West Virginians, thank you for the opportunity to provide input on House Bill 4810.
HB 4810, among other things, seeks to impose an 85% loss ratio requirement similar to that imposed on Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange medical plans on dental plans. However, dental coverage should not be treated the same as medical coverage. Unlike ACA exchange medical plans, dental plans are unsubsidized and non-standardized. Notably, dental plans were exempted from the ACA’s medical loss ratio requirements, which this proposal is modeled after, because Congress recognized that dental is different.
While medical and dental plans have many similar administrative requirements the similar associated costs, dental plans must meet these requirements with substantially smaller premiums. For example, it is not uncommon for medical plan premiums to average $1000 per member per month (pmpm), while a dental plan premium is often as low as just $20 pmpm. With an 85% loss ratio, this medical plan would pay $850 towards claims, leaving $150 remaining to cover administrative costs. Conversely, a $20 pmpm dental plan would pay $17 towards claims and be left with only $3 left to pay towards administrative costs.
No dental payer can fund a dental plan with just $3 pmpm for administration!
To meet an 85% DLR requirement, dental plans would be forced to raise premiums, cut or eliminate broker commissions, reduce investments in administrative services, and most likely a combination of all three. Dental plans cannot simply increase patient care because coverage levels are set by employers, not dental plans.
An independent 2024 actuarial study of the impact of imposing an 85% DLR on dental plans by the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) found that some dental plans would need to increase their premiums upwards of 200%, rendering them unaffordable.[1] This significant premium increase was attributable in part to CHBRP’s finding that meeting an 85% DLR would not be achievable by insurers in that market, even by capping profits at 5% and administrative costs at 10% unless claims expenses were also increased by an aggregate of 288% for HMO products and 52% for PPO products. [2] Delta Dental’s analysis has shown we would need to increase West Virginia dental premiums by 133%.
Such an increase in premiums will not only negatively impact enrollees and force them to drop their dental coverage, but will also negatively impact providers, as studies have shown that people are much more likely to go to the dentist if they have dental coverage. It is also important to remember that administrative costs include the costs associated with staffing call centers, handling grievances, monitoring fraud, waste, and abuse, credentialing providers, managing networks, and reimbursing providers – all of which are vital to the enrollee and provider experience.
An 85% DLR will limit choice and competition for consumers. Some insurers, particularly those in the small group market, which has reduced economies of scale, will be unable to continue to offer viable products in West Virginia’s market. In 2022, Massachusetts approved a ballot initiative that imposed an 83% DLR on dental plans in that state. As a result, no fewer than 8 carriers were forced to leave the Massachusetts small group market.[3]
The path forward to providing greater transparency without jeopardizing dental coverage for West Virginians is found in compromise legislation adopted in California, Maine, Nevada, Montana, Louisiana and Virginia. These bills were influenced by model legislation adopted by the National Council of Insurance Legislators in 2024, which was the result of negotiations between the American Dental Association (ADA) and the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP).[4] The NCOIL model allows states to study DLRs, by requiring insurers to annually report their DLR to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Some of the recently enacted compromise bills are “report only” variations. Others empower the Insurance Commissioner to impose remediation on insurers identified as outliers. While we maintain that DLRs are an inappropriate metric by which to measure a benefit with low premiums, measures like those compromise bills are alternatives that we can agree upon.
We urge the committee to preserve choice, competition, and affordability in West Virginia’s dental insurance market and reject this proposal.
Delta Dental appreciates this opportunity to provide comments on HB 4810. Please contact me at jalbum@delta.org should you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeff Album
Vice-President, Public and Government Affairs
[1] California Health Benefits Review Program. Abbreviated Analysis of California Assembly Bill 2028. 12 Apr. 2024, pp. 9–10, www.chbrp.org/sites/default/files/bill-documents/AB2028/AB%202028%20Medical%20Loss%20Ratios%20Report%20final%20to%20Legislature%2004122024.pdf.
[2] Id.
[3] Bailey, Doug. “NADP: Ameritas, Principal to Leave Massachusetts Small-Plan Dental Market.” Insurance News | InsuranceNewsNet, Oct. 6, 2023, insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/nadp-ameritas-principal-to-leave-massachusetts-small-plan-dental-market. Accessed Jan. 28, 2026.
[4] American Dental Association, and National Association of Dental Plans. Statement on NCOIL Model Legislation. Jan. 23, 2024, ncoil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ADA-NADP-NCOIL-Model-Statement-Final-2024-01-23-logos-1.pdf. Accessed Jan. 29, 2026.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jackson Ludwig on January 29, 2026 11:37
Hello,
I am a firefighter in Huntington WV and a member of IAFF Local 289.
Firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks due to repeated exposure to carcinogens in smoke, building materials, and toxic runoff. Routine cancer screening programs are a proven, proactive measure that save lives through early detection. From a financial standpoint, early diagnosis also results in substantial cost savings for insurance providers and state health systems by avoiding the far greater expenses associated with late-stage cancer treatment, long-term disability, and loss of workforce productivity. Investing in comprehensive cancer screening for firefighters is not only a moral obligation to those who risk their lives to protect our communities, but a fiscally responsible strategy that reduces long-term healthcare costs while preserving experienced, healthy first responders.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Hannah Giammarino on January 29, 2026 11:24
Hello,
I am a firefighter in Huntington WV and a member of IAFF Local 289.
Firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks due to repeated exposure to carcinogens in smoke, building materials, and toxic runoff. Routine cancer screening programs are a proven, proactive measure that save lives through early detection. From a financial standpoint, early diagnosis also results in substantial cost savings for insurance providers and state health systems by avoiding the far greater expenses associated with late-stage cancer treatment, long-term disability, and loss of workforce productivity. Investing in comprehensive cancer screening for firefighters is not only a moral obligation to those who risk their lives to protect our communities, but a fiscally responsible strategy that reduces long-term healthcare costs while preserving experienced, healthy first responders.
2026 Regular Session HB4017 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Erin Grondalski on January 29, 2026 10:54
Historically, faith-based organizations that have provided "support" and "counseling" to children and families do more harm than good. Their qualifications are not the same as qualified organizations. This seems like another blatant attempt to bring non-taxable revenue to unqualified religious organizations.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Dalton Walker on January 29, 2026 10:50
Hello,
I am a firefighter in Huntington WV and a member of IAFF Local 289.
Firefighters face significantly higher cancer risks due to repeated exposure to carcinogens in smoke, building materials, and toxic runoff. Routine cancer screening programs are a proven, proactive measure that save lives through early detection. From a financial standpoint, early diagnosis also results in substantial cost savings for insurance providers and state health systems by avoiding the far greater expenses associated with late-stage cancer treatment, long-term disability, and loss of workforce productivity. Investing in comprehensive cancer screening for firefighters is not only a moral obligation to those who risk their lives to protect our communities, but a fiscally responsible strategy that reduces long-term healthcare costs while preserving experienced, healthy first responders.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dalton
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Joshua Bowers on January 29, 2026 10:27
This bill supports early cancer screenings for firefighters, helping detect cancer sooner and improve outcomes. Firefighters risk their lives for our communities, and this legislation gives them essential protection in return. Please support this bill—it could save lives.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Alan Roby on January 29, 2026 10:27
2026 Regular Session HB4017 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Cheyeane Kyle on January 29, 2026 10:07
This bill does not ensure any real protections for the welfare of children. While we want to believe that faith based programs can have good intent on well being the truth of the matter is that most church organizations don’t have a vetting process. It has been seen and proven so many times that there have been predators in churches. This has happened in my own county of Randolph when the pastor of the summit church made national headline for his predatory behaviors. What is needed is a complete overhaul of the current system not passing the buck to organizations.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Mark Delbrook on January 29, 2026 09:27
Plain and simple, this bill would save lives. Protect those who Protect you.
2026 Regular Session HB4168 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 29, 2026 03:22
Y'all the one good thing wv had going for it was its vaccination rates, we were above california, we were #1 for once in ONE good thing. Now y'all seem to want to be #50 at everything. Like c'mon we cant keep competing with mississippi for last place.
2026 Regular Session HB4158 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 29, 2026 03:12
I'm down for this.
But I would like to add medication exceptions. Some prescription medications can show up as "hot" on a drug test, so if they show up as "hot" but can prove they have a prescription they wouldn't have to show it publicly as failed. Or thats how we've always done it at my previous job(s), but instead of posting publicly you'd just get fired. And no, thats not why they're previous jobs they just paid badly, or with poor hours, sometimes both.
2026 Regular Session HB4124 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: toki on January 29, 2026 02:19
This one is fair.
2026 Regular Session HB4102 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 29, 2026 01:35
(f) According to the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG),
bills that concern everyone in wv should not be biased (f) is biased, if you are looking for a credible institution you should chose one who is neither pro-life nor pro-choice, but merely science based.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Derek R Porter on January 28, 2026 22:27
Research the names or ask government officials in Bridgeport and Clarksburg about!
Patrick SanJulian
Joe Bennett
Keith Linger
These 3 gentlemen are just the most recent cases. How many more will there be before this type of testing is made mandatory?
Your financial notes and insurance lobby will still find it cheaper to scan/pervent than pay in full or worse yet our brothers and sisters pay with their lives.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Andrew Roth on January 28, 2026 21:51
This bill would be very beneficial to the professional firefighters of West Virginia. Cancer has quickly become the leading cause of death of firefighters nationwide. Cancer is also affecting younger firefighters as well. This bill would allow firefighters to get ahead of the game with these screenings and hopefully catch some cancers early, when they can be treated the best.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Dustin Bumgardner on January 28, 2026 21:03
I strongly support HB 4627, which provides preventive cancer screening for professional firefighters in accordance with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) guidelines.
Firefighters are exposed throughout their careers to known carcinogens, and medical research consistently shows significantly higher cancer rates among firefighters than in the general population. The IAFF clearly demonstrates that early cancer detection saves lives and reduces long-term healthcare costs. Cancers identified at early stages require less invasive treatment, have higher survival rates, and avoid the substantial costs associated with advanced disease, extended disability, and long-term care.
Preventive screening is fiscally responsible. Studies show that investing in evidence-based cancer screening reduces overall healthcare spending by preventing late-stage diagnoses, lost work time, and workers’ compensation claims. Removing copays and deductibles ensures firefighters can access these screenings before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective and least costly.
HB 4627 reflects nationally recognized best practices and appropriately treats cancer screening as an occupational health necessity for firefighters. I respectfully urge the Legislature to pass this bill.
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Andrew Goodwin on January 28, 2026 14:48
I highly recommend this bill for passage. Cancer is one of the most dangerous threats to professional firefighter health and safety today. From the gear they wear, to the environment they work in, repeated carcinogen exposure leads to an elevated cancer risk.
- Cancer caused 66 percent of the career firefighter line-of-duty deaths from 2002 to 2019, according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
- Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).
- Firefighters are two times as likely to contract mesothelioma, two times as likely to contract testicular cancer, 1.5x as likely to contract multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and are at an increased and elevated risk for numerous other specific cancers. (NIOSH)
2026 Regular Session HB4599 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Amy L. Smith on January 28, 2026 14:09
I have been working for the past 25 years in HR at Crittenton Services. The WVCARES system is a significant improvement over the background check process from years past, however, there are several areas that need to be evaluated and changed. Specifically, the variance process is cumbersome and takes entirely too long. I completely understand that there are certain convictions or situations that need extra attention, but taking up to 60 days to make a determination on a minor charge is detrimental to our company and to the prospective employee. As a facility that must have a fully cleared check prior to allowing new hires to work, we have lost good potential candidates because when someone is looking for a job, they need a job sooner rather than later. Telling someone they may have to wait up to 2 months (actually more because they have already interviewed and fingerprinted which has taken time) is not going to be attractive to a candidate. We can't pay as much as some for profit businesses and then tack on a 2 month wait is too much for a new hire, who then find other work before I even get them in the door for orientation. There has to be a quicker way to streamline this process to get these people into jobs. It isn't even a rare occasion to have someone wait 60 days, it is the norm. We have also had several potential candidates who have been fully through the variance process at another facility but that waiver won't travel with them which is also a flaw in the system. If a person is moving to a similar position or company, the process has already been completed and needs to follow them to their new organization. WVCARES should be able to see the waiver that has been previously granted and allow the person to work rather than repeating the process again. These 2 suggestions would greatly increase our chances of hiring staff timely. Thank you!
2026 Regular Session HB4627 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayson Nicewarner on January 28, 2026 13:33
Professional firefighters face elevated cancer risks due to repeated exposure to carcinogens such as smoke, soot, diesel exhaust, PFAS-containing foams, and toxic byproducts released during and after fires, even with modern protective gear. Studies have linked firefighting to higher rates of cancers including lung, bladder, colorectal, prostate, skin (melanoma), and certain blood cancers, underscoring the importance of early detection. Many insurance plans, often supported by state “presumptive” cancer laws and firefighter-specific benefits, cover recommended cancer screenings such as colonoscopies, skin exams, prostate screenings, low-dose lung CT scans for eligible individuals, ultrasounds and blood tests. These screenings should be offered with reduced or no out-of-pocket costs. Ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for routine and risk-based screenings helps catch cancer earlier, improves outcomes, and acknowledges the occupational hazards firefighters face in protecting public safety.
2026 Regular Session HB4599 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Lora Quince on January 28, 2026 13:30
As an employer using WV CARES there have been a few issues with the WV CARES process. First, we have had employees who have been employed beyond five years which is the time limit for renewal. There have been instances where an employee was disqualified for employment previously, went through the variance process and then was approved through the variance to be employed. When they come up for renewal, they are asked to go through the same process in which they lose work time as they need to complete the documentation and resubmit substantiating documentation before we are notified that the variance is in process. Unlike some other employers, we can staff supervision for these employees but does pose some issues to ensure adequate coverage.
Secondly, there have been employees that transfer employment from another agency being hired within the same role for our agency. The employee is already in the system but must be fingerprinted again before a determination of ineligibility is provided. The employee reports they were ineligible from the other employer and went through the variance process in which the variance was accepted. This causes delays in the process when the employee needs to go through the entire process again for the same position but with a different employer. It also causes additional monies to be spent for the employer in order to have the employee be fingerprinted.
Lastly, waiting 60 days for the variance process is a little excessive especially for a non-profit organization struggling to keep employees. There have been times since using WV CARES that we lost employees because they didn't want to wait the time for a decision to be made on their variance. These were cases in which we were unable to provide direct supervision for these employees.
I thank you for your time and consideration into these issues to help resolve.
2026 Regular Session HB4599 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Melinda Maynard-Thompson on January 28, 2026 12:35
The supervision requirement under WVCARES is often not feasible in practice. We do not have sufficient staffing to ensure supervision for the entire process. As a result, we have had to turn away otherwise qualified candidates. Additionally, the waiting period for the variance process is excessively long and creates significant delays in filling needed positions, which negatively impacts operations and service delivery.
2026 Regular Session HB4517 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Melissa Colagrosso on January 28, 2026 12:07
This bill incorporates the revisions needed to the WV Employer Childcare Tax Credit to make it accessible and relevant to the 90% of West Virginia businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The current tax credit has only been used a few times because it is only practical for very large companies. It also eliminates parents' choice of care by requiring that employees' children attend the employer-owned childcare program to receive this benefit. These revisions provide opportunities for even the smallest businesses, with fewer than 10 employees, to engage with the childcare industry and assist their employees with access to and affordability of childcare.
I am assisting with multiple local community-led initiatives to engage employers with childcare needs in their communities. Employers are recognizing the restraints on their businesses caused by a lack of affordable childcare in rural West Virginia. The tools and support for these employers to contribute to the cost of care for their employees through a coalition of local businesses are in place. This revision will create an incentive for these businesses to build their workforces and local economies.
Of all of the 3 proposed bills to revise the WV Employer Childcare Tax Credit, this is the only one that aligns West Virginia's tax credit to the recent revisions in the federal tax credit (45 F)
Please get in touch with me if you need any further explanation or information.
2026 Regular Session HB4599 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Marissa Shockey on January 28, 2026 11:22
As the Chief Human Resources Officer for one of West Virginia’s six Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), I can speak directly to the real and ongoing workforce challenges created by the current WV CARES process.
West Virginia rightly wants to encourage workforce participation while also protecting vulnerable populations. WV CARES can support both goals; however, the current timelines create significant barriers for both employers and qualified candidates. With up to 30 days for a candidate to submit a complete packet and up to 60 days for WV CARES to render a decision, the total process can take as long as 90 days. In today’s workforce environment, many candidates—and employers—simply cannot wait that long. As a result, we lose otherwise qualified staff before they ever have the opportunity to serve our communities.
Additionally, employers are often unable to absorb the financial burden of supervising provisional employees during this extended review period. Requiring two staff to perform the work of one—solely to meet supervision requirements—adds substantial cost and strain to already limited behavioral health resources. Reducing review timelines would immediately decrease supervision costs and prevent candidates from being lost due to delays outside of their control.
The portability provision included in this bill is one of its most promising and impactful components. Allowing WV CARES eligibility to be tied to the individual rather than the worksite would significantly reduce application time, administrative burden, and duplication of effort—benefiting providers, the state, and workers alike.
Equally important is the provision that would prevent long-standing employees from having to take a leave of absence or return to supervision while awaiting renewal variances related to historical charges. For many dedicated staff, this process forces them to repeatedly relive embarrassment and trauma every five years simply to continue serving in roles they have faithfully held for years. These are professionals who work tirelessly for West Virginians with the greatest needs, and this provision recognizes both their service and their dignity.
House Bill 4599 represents a meaningful opportunity to modernize WV CARES in a way that protects clients, supports the workforce, and strengthens access to behavioral health services across our state.
2026 Regular Session HB4715 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: carol everson on January 28, 2026 10:14
Pass this Bill!
being attached to a Physician is an antiquated model that no longer supports the medical system we are working in. The disadvantage of linking my job to a physician is causing shortages in the workforce as employers are searching for employees that can practice independently of that burden. Practicing PA's are seen parallel in knowledge and credentialing to a medical doctor and are even educated by the same model as the physician. The biggest difference is the time for either degree. Healthcare could be more accessible if this gate were lifted to allow full autonomy of the practice of a Physician Associate
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Ron Hurst III on January 28, 2026 07:33
This bill isn't the best for a few reasons. #1 - Notarization should not be required. #2 - Philosophical exemptions should be included. #3 Vaccine/medical mandates MUST be totally abolished if we expect to brag about the montani semper liberal state. All that said, if passed as is it would be a step in the right direction.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Angela Simms on January 27, 2026 21:02
The first amendment seems to be reason enough to pass this bill. You want to put a Bible in our schools ; yet we can't use religion as an exemption from vaccines? I pay your school tax year after year, but have two children who can't step foot into your schools, because of a choice we made as family. A choice I do not have to defend because it's God given. Choosing not to vaccinate my children is not idealogy , it's our lifestyle. Public safety isn't even an issue because herd immunity starts at 70% , the unvaccinated population here in WV is well below that. I implore you to be a state that honors it's constituents Constitutional Rights. We are one of 4 states that still have this archaic system in place, it's time to do the right thing and allow us to make choices for our family free of government oversight.
2026 Regular Session HB4067 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Melissa Colagrosso on January 27, 2026 18:06
This bill will help strengthen and stabilize existing childcare providers. Many existing providers have closed classrooms due to the inability to hire qualified staff. The low wages available due to WV childcare subsidy payment rates are inadequate to recruit staff. Adding childcare as a benefit will allow parents who have left the workforce to return. If WV pays for childcare for one child so the child's parent can work in a childcare setting, that will open 9 additional spots for other jobs in the community. Childcare is the workforce behind the workforce. Please prioritize this bill. Save my childcare center and the 150 families that rely on it to work.
2026 Regular Session HB4074 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Hugh Michael Roy on January 27, 2026 17:50
This seems incredible. I am a public educator, and many of my coworkers have confided in me that most of their salary goes toward childcare. My wife and I are currently childless, and the cost of child care is one of the largest contributing factors. THIS is a Pro-Life bill that actually cares about children after they are born rather than force parents into dire financial straits.
2026 Regular Session HB4070 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Hugh Michael Roy on January 27, 2026 17:47
I can't put into words how stupid this is, but I'll try. How do we test if they have "immunity" from their exposure? Have you heard of Typhoid Mary, who was technically immune to Typhus but able to transfer it? Who is lobbying you to remove vaccine requirements? West Virginian lives are not for sale.
2026 Regular Session HB4674 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Brittany Singhass on January 27, 2026 17:44
HB 4674 is yet another attempt by the state of West Virginia to control the healthcare of women. My body, my choice! Do not vote in favor of this bill. It not only criminalizes life-saving drugs that can be used to induce medically necessary abortions, but it also includes language suggesting that the life of a fetus is more valuable than the life of it's mother (or, I guess, incubator would be a more accurate term).
2026 Regular Session HB4674 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Cheryl Middleton on January 27, 2026 17:23
I am writing to you today as a constituent to express my strong opposition to House Bill 4674. This legislation represents a direct infringement on the fundamental rights of West Virginian women to make their own healthcare decisions and access safe, FDA-approved medical treatments.
By targeting "abortifacients," HB 4674 creates a climate of fear for healthcare providers and places further barriers in front of women—particularly survivors of sexual assault—who are already navigating the state's extremely restrictive reproductive laws.
Furthermore, I am deeply concerned by the lopsided nature of this legislative session’s priorities. If the Legislature is intent on forcing women to carry pregnancies to term, even in the most tragic of circumstances, I have two pressing questions for you:
1. Where are the amendments to increase criminal penalties for men who commit acts of rape or incest? If the state is to be a "pro-life" state, it must be equally aggressive in punishing the perpetrators of the violence that leads to these pregnancies.
2. Why is the focus solely on restricting the victim's autonomy rather than ensuring the harshest possible accountability for the offender? Currently, we see no legislative movement to match these healthcare restrictions with mandatory maximum sentencing or enhanced penalties for those who commit the crimes of rape and incest that result in a pregnancy.
HB 4674 violates the bodily autonomy of women while doing nothing to address the root causes of sexual violence or provide justice for survivors. I urge you to vote NO on HB 4674 and instead focus on legislation that protects the safety and rights of all West Virginians.
I look forward to hearing your position on this bill and whether you intend to support harsher penalties for the perpetrators of sexual violence in our state.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Brittany Singhass on January 27, 2026 17:21
As a parent, I implore you... do not pass this bill! The majority of the WV population has told you time and time again that we trust SCIENCE when it comes to medicine. The current mandated immunizations for admissions to public schools are the reason why those diseases were eradicated! The law as it is currently written does NOT require parents to vaccinate their kids. It only requires vaccination if they want to enroll their kids in public school. Therefore, the parents who want the exemptions should just apply for the school voucher program and use those funds to homeschool their children. We require herd immunity to keep our communities safe from these diseases and allowing children into our public schools without these vaccines would be irresponsible.
2026 Regular Session HB4459 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Brittany Singhass on January 27, 2026 17:13
I agree with the legislators' concerns about the use of kratom. I do not know if making it a schedule 1 drug is the right way to control its use due to it being such a new product and not at all regulated or studied by the FDA. I have read about cases where this drug has been used to help addicts get off "worse" drugs... but I have also read about instances where people who had no prior drug addiction struggles start using kratom and then go through withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop use.
2026 Regular Session HB4669 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Nicole on January 27, 2026 17:05
Please pass this bill. If people want fluoride in their water they can add it.
But we cannot take it out.. so please let us choose what we want in our water. Thank you.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Zach on January 27, 2026 16:57
Please pass this bill. Wv deserves medical freedom. Where there is a risk, there must be a choice.
2026 Regular Session HB4459 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Deana Lucion on January 27, 2026 16:36
To whom it may concern:
Honorable Senators,
I am writing to express extreme dislike of this bill and I am hoping that you will take into consideration the revenue that this brings into our state. Granted we need to make sure everything is tested and AKA certified I am strictly against you voting to completely make a plant a SCH 1. This is savagely a disadvantage to those of us who have successfully QUIT opioids and other hard drugs with using kratom alone. There have been no recorded ODs there always has been other substances involved. God made these plants and pharma is trying to stop anyone from healing themselves.
2026 Regular Session HB4413 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Nicole Kirby on January 27, 2026 16:01
I do not support illegal drug use. To be clear a needle program, like the one trying to be made illegal, doesn’t “enable” drug use. It makes it safer. Even if the bill sponsors don’t care about the user, they should care about public health. Communicable diseases DO NOT stay in the drug user population- they spread. My husband has been a volunteer fireman for decades, the number of times he has been exposed to pathogens is astronomical and we are fortunate that nothing came of it. Having needle programs protects our first responders. It also protects sons and daughters who are figuring out adult life in college- they don’t have to use drugs to be exposed. There are so many unintended consequences to this bill that could directly impact people who do not use drugs.
2026 Regular Session HB4669 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Nicole Kirby on January 27, 2026 15:54
As a scientist and mother, there isn’t anything alarming about fluoride in water. The public good far outweighs anything negative and those who are worried can seek bottled/filtered water affordability. What is alarming is that we are considering removing fluoride from water, which has been proven safe, when we are rolling back environmental protections on people’s drinking water huge chunks of the state don’t already have clean water. You can’t say this is for public health when it is clearly to cater to a political narrative.
2026 Regular Session HB4059 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Nicole Kirby on January 27, 2026 15:46
Illegals immigrants do not get health care. They are only going to get care in an ER. If illegals know they could be reported to ICE they simply won’t seek care for themselves or their for their children which will led to death and suffering. On the administrative side, hospitals are already overrun with paperwork and this is going to increase that burden which will translate to higher costs of care for everyone. WV doesn’t have an extreme issue with immigrants either, so we are going to spend way more money in implementation than this would ever “save” citizens.
2026 Regular Session HB4059 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Brittany Singhass on January 27, 2026 15:39
I'm pretty sure that people who are of undocumented or "illegal" status in America do not qualify for Medicare benefits. I guess you can go ahead and push this through, if nothing more than to get on record that Republicans are lying about the cost of immigrants on the system and the state. Spoiler alert: giving tax breaks to billionaires costs the state a whole lot more than leaving immigrants alone.
2026 Regular Session HB4669 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Brittany Singhass on January 27, 2026 15:00
It would be great if the sponsors of this bill would have included any sort of explanation for why they feel it is necessary to make this change. Please provide research from peer-reviewed sources explaining how the addition of fluoride negatively affects residents drinking the water. I am only aware of BENEFITS of fluoride additives in public water sources to improve dental health. This just seems silly to me.
2026 Regular Session HB4669 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Susie Nelson on January 27, 2026 14:36
So you think West Virginians are leading the nation in their dental health? Yeah, why bother keeping fluoride in our drinking water? Maybe instead we should be worried about the unsanitary water conditions in southern West Virginia. Clean that up first, then worry about fluoride.
2026 Regular Session HB4413 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Susie Nelson on January 27, 2026 14:25
So we're wanting to allow people to NOT get vaccinated, yet we won't allow programs that will prevent the spread of disease? Instead we should be implementing programs to HELP those who are addicted to substances instead of creating a culture where they can not only be on drugs, but are also at risk for further disease such as HIV and Hepatitis. Do you want to see an increase in HIV and Hepatitis in West Virginia? I agree that we should not make it easy for people to use drugs, but what harm reduction and needle exchange programs do is allow for an opportunity to assist with rehabilitation. It's not just about needle exchange, it's about access to individuals who need help and continuously working towards getting them to ultimately be drug free. Please vote no.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Susie Nelson on January 27, 2026 13:58
If a parent chooses to have his or her child exempt of vaccinations due to religion, he or she has the ability to homeschool the student and NOT spread such diseases to public school students. Please protect public school children and do not pass this bill. Public health of all West Virginians is at risk.
2026 Regular Session HB4826 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Nancy Haggerty on January 27, 2026 12:33
This is another way to funnel money to corporations while doing nothing to actually help people with addiction.
Yet another thing the WV people don't want our government to do.
2026 Regular Session HB4059 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Misty Curry on January 27, 2026 11:44
to me it seems like this bill is intentionally targeting less than 1% of our population. It seems like it will be used against anyone that could be here undocumented or illegal. It could also prevent those few people from seeking medical treatment when it’s absolutely necessary. Which would increase communicable diseases in our towns. we live in a state with very low population, and we are trying to find ways to increase our economic growth and it seems like maybe instead of making less than 1% of our population feel unwanted. We should find resources to help integrate them into our community, the correct way. I’ve seen 2 other bills today that want to force the 10 Commandments in classrooms Bibles in classrooms and when you read the Bible, it teaches us to love our neighbor, regardless of who they are and to me this is one step toward doing exactly the opposite of that. so I would encourage you to look deep into your hearts before you make a decision on something that is really trivial when it comes to the other problems that we have in this state,
2026 Regular Session HB4827 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 27, 2026 11:16
I recognize the importance of early-intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities, and I understand that West Virginia must comply with federal IDEA requirements. However, I cannot support a 25% increase in provider compensation under HB 4827 without parallel investments or accountability measures, given the broader conditions facing residents across this state.
West Virginians are experiencing widespread unemployment, food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, failing infrastructure, and limited access to education and workforce training. Many families cannot meet basic needs, yet this bill proposes a significant pay increase for a narrow class of contracted professionals without addressing these systemic failures or ensuring improved access for the families most in need.
HB 4827 does not:
- Guarantee reduced waitlists or improved access statewide
- Require service provision in rural or underserved counties
- Tie increased payments to measurable outcomes or equity standards
- Address the broader social and economic conditions impacting families raising children with disabilities
2026 Regular Session HB4826 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 27, 2026 11:13
I oppose HB 4826 because it expands state authority to override personal autonomy, medical consent, and due-process protections by permitting court-ordered, involuntary substance-use treatment based on subjective criteria and third-party petitions.
West Virginia does face a serious substance-use crisis. According to the CDC and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, West Virginia has historically had the highest overdose death rate in the nation, exceeding 80 deaths per 100,000 residents, with approximately 1,300 overdose deaths in 2023. However, recent state data also show a 30–40% decline in overdose deaths in 2024, demonstrating that non-coercive, public-health-based interventions are already working.
HB 4826 moves the state in the opposite direction by substituting judicial compulsion and moral judgment for voluntary, evidence-based care. Forcing treatment does not address the root causes of substance use in West Virginia — including poverty, trauma, housing instability, limited healthcare access, and economic displacement — and instead risks pushing people further into court systems, confinement, and non-compliance.
Medical and public-health research consistently shows that treatment outcomes are strongest when care is voluntary, trauma-informed, and community-based. Involuntary treatment increases distrust of healthcare systems, discourages people from seeking help, and may worsen long-term outcomes — especially in rural and economically distressed communities like those across West Virginia.
HB 4826 also raises serious constitutional concerns by undermining:
- Bodily autonomy and the right to refuse medical treatment
- Due process protections
- Equal protection, by disproportionately impacting already marginalized populations
2026 Regular Session HB4821 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jayli Flynn on January 27, 2026 11:02
HB 4821 (2026 Regular Session) proposes creation of an “Affordable Medicaid Buy-In Program,” administered by the West Virginia Department of Human Services, to allow residents who are ineligible for Medicaid and Medicare to purchase coverage that leverages the Medicaid benefit structure. The bill sets an implementation deadline of January 1, 2027.
The bill includes prescription drug coverage and authorizes the Department to establish drug procurement methods, including combined purchasing strategies, and to pursue federal Affordable Care Act options or waivers to maximize federal funding. Individuals who do not qualify for federal financial assistance may purchase coverage at full cost.
These provisions must be evaluated in the context of West Virginia’s documented history with pharmaceutical oversight and access. Under former Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, West Virginia pursued opioid litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and national pharmacy chains, including Walgreens and Kroger, alleging failures in supply-chain controls and dispensing practices that contributed to widespread addiction and public health harm. West Virginia later participated in national opioid settlement agreements resulting from this litigation.
West Virginia has also experienced documented pharmacy access challenges, including pharmacy deserts and recent statewide pharmacy closures, which directly affect access to medications regardless of insurance status. In addition, drug shortages are an ongoing national issue monitored by federal authorities and professional pharmacy organizations.
HB 4821 does not address how prescription drug access would be prioritized during medication shortages or in areas with limited pharmacy availability, nor does it specify safeguards to ensure that access to medically necessary medications is determined by clinical need rather than by ability to pay, insurance tier, or purchasing status.
2026 Regular Session HB4740 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Penny Fioravante on January 27, 2026 10:43
Regarding Article 14 b; "the board shall also require the completion of continuing education credits in nutrition", further clarity is needed.
How many hours CME and which category?
Is this included in or in addition to the hours already required for licensing?
Thank you for addressing this.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Marie on January 26, 2026 13:42
There’s a reason they call it The Bad Idea Factory, but this has to be the worst idea ya’ll have come up with. Absolutely no way in the world I’m trusting any of you with my kids’ medical information. Or the same state police that were peeping on their own coworkers. Throw this out or get ready for a bunch of miracles because everybody’s gonna be “cured” just to avoid being rounded up.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Lori on January 26, 2026 10:59
No, this is a terrible idea.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Bethany Clark on January 26, 2026 10:15
This is dangerous and unnecessary.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Bethany Clark on January 26, 2026 10:09
Please do not allow for religious exemptions to vaccine requirements. The current exemptions, which are for understandable medical reasons, mean that as many other people as possible need to be vaccinated to protect themselves and those who are unable to get vaccines for genuine medical reasons.
2026 Regular Session HB4070 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Bethany Clark on January 26, 2026 10:07
So we're just letting people get diseases now instead of requiring vaccines to prevent them and others from getting sick? That seems extremely reckless, irresponsible, and downright dangerous to public health. Please listen to real doctors and scientists.
2026 Regular Session HB4079 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: nancy haggerty on January 25, 2026 23:16
I don't see how this is a real problem. If you don't want to use said language, don't. This bill is unnecessary.
2026 Regular Session HB4168 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Martha Elder on January 25, 2026 21:35
It’s the old adage, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
2026 Regular Session HB4335 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Chelsea Rae Gunther on January 25, 2026 21:32
As a West Virginia Medicaid provider, I strongly support HB 4335. This bill sets clear timelines that reduce delays in care: 5 business days for provider enrollment determinations once an application is complete, and 60 days for MCO credentialing with limited extension and meaningful penalties when timelines are missed. It also requires a standard CAQH credentialing form, prevents MCOs from demanding extra information beyond that form, and moves enrollment and credentialing to electronic submission for clarity and accountability. These changes reduce administrative bottlenecks, enabling providers to serve Medicaid members sooner. Please pass HB 4335.
2026 Regular Session HB4715 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Elizabeth on January 25, 2026 21:21
I am writing to express my concern about HN 4715 which has been introduced for consideration. This proposed legislation would eliminate physician supervision of physician assistants and nurse practitioners. P.A.'s and N.P.'s receive much more limited training compared to physicians. Allowing them to practice independently puts patients at risk. Please instead support models which support rural incentives and loan repayment for new physicians to bring complete care to all patients.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Mike on January 25, 2026 09:40
To see that this is what our legislation has decided is important for those with disabilities is deplorable, to say the least. Law enforcement should be trained on how to deal with those with disabilities--recognizing behaviors and using de-escalation tactics rather than making these individuals feel as though their protected medical information is out in the open. Creating a "registry" for anyone is fascist; no one should be forced to put their names onto a list, especially a vulnerable population. I hope that our legislation makes the right choice with this bill.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Allison Pugh on January 25, 2026 08:02
As the parent of a child with a disability I am horrified at the thought of adding her name to some type of registry that will label her as "less than" and "other" for the foreseeable future. Especially given the current rhetoric around special needs children, this is placing a target on their backs for unspecified reasons.
2026 Regular Session HB4074 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 25, 2026 04:38
This is a pretty good idea; I'm down to try it.
2026 Regular Session HB4073 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 25, 2026 04:26
I am not thrilled with this.
what about immunocomprimized kids? What do you think will happen when an unvaccinated religiously exempt child gives them measles and their body cant fight it because their immune system is compromised? The child dies.
what about children with immunocomprimized family members? "oh sorry sweetie grandma died of the mumps because she couldnt fight it off 'cause she was fighting cancer at the same time" or "sorry [name] your mom died {because she as immunocomprimized and taking anti-rejection meds*}"
*used when someone get an organ transplant. Their body doesnt recognize the unfamiliar organ and tries to attack it, so they are on medication to suppress their immune system.
2026 Regular Session HB4070 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 25, 2026 04:07
Y'all i'm going to be real with you, you continue to disappoint me with stuff like this. I had no expectations and I am still let down.
What about immunocomprimized folk? People undergoing chemo? People taking anti rejection drugs? Their lives are already hard enough lets not make it harder.
2026 Regular Session HB4032 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Toki on January 25, 2026 02:17
I'm for this bill. It seems like it'll do a lot of good for folks in WV. Those suffering from substance abuse are still human too, and in WV they need all the help they can get for recovery.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Sara M on January 24, 2026 16:33
Putting disabled people on a list is a horrible idea. Disabled people are citizens with the same rights as everyone else and should not be treated differently by law enforcement.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Jessica Biser on January 24, 2026 16:08
I am a very concerned citizen with the proposed House Bill 4554. It clearly violates HIPPA. I feel this would be an open door for more violations of our privacy.
I understand it is volunteer, but it not something legislation should be concerned. Additionally the bill proposed for ending WOKE talk is ridiculous. Please do not allow such silly laws in our state. We are already mocked.
Our state has many more concerns. How about clean water, no data centers, and addressing vital issues.
This bill seems like a playbook from the beginning of the gestapo laws. Please vote no.
2026 Regular Session HB4554 (Health and Human Resources)
Comment by: Teresa Simmons on January 24, 2026 14:33
This bill is ridiculous. I'm a mother of an adult who has disabilities and you want to expose them on a list like the pedophiles have. This is ridiculous. If you want to understand them then meet them in person, not putting their name out there so some whack job can take advantage of them. This is disgraceful and against the law. What kind of government is this. You are supposed to protect them not out them.
Sincerely,
Teresa Simmons