JCHC 2006 Studies and Past Reports

Last Update: February 26, 2007

An Annual Report is published each year which reviews the activities of the Joint Commission, and summarizes the legislative proposals introduced by the Joint Commission during the most recently completed General Assembly Session.

In addition to its Annual Report, the Joint Commission publishes individual study reports in response to specific study requests made by the General Assembly through House, Senate or joint study resolutions. These reports are categorized into one of five "topic areas" . . . Health Insurance/Access for the Uninsured; Health Workforce; Long-Term Care; Health Care Cost and Quality; and Behavioral Health Care.

The individual study reports were published as House and Senate Documents through the General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems. However, in 2000, the procedures for printing House and Senate documents were changed. As a result, reports were not published as legislative documents. This occurred for one of two reasons. In some cases, the reports were prepared in response to a letter from the chairman of a standing committee requesting that the Joint Commission examine the subject matter of a bill that the committee failed to report, and advise the Committee of its recommendations. In other cases, the Joint Commission was directed to provide the results of the study to a particular committee or committees, as opposed to the General Assembly as a whole. For these types of studies, no House or Senate document was published. Instead, a report was issued and made available directly from the General Assembly home page at http://legis.state.va.us/ in "Legislative Studies" and under "Reports to the General Assembly."

Copies of all published Joint Commission Senate/House documents may be obtained by contacting the Bill Room [(804) 786-6984] in the inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia and requesting a copy of the desired report. When requesting a report, please reference the appropriate year and House or Senate Document Number.

Annual Reports
Health Insurance/Access for the Uninsured Reports
Health Workforce Reports
Long-Term Care Reports
Health Care Cost and Quality Reports
Behavioral Health Care Reports
2006 Studies

The 2006 Annual Report will be published as 2007 Report Document #10. The 2006 Annual Report will include a summary of 2006 activities and related 2007 General Assembly actions. The report will be available in the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy when it is available. You may also click here to view the Executive Summary in a pdf format.

The 2005 Annual Report is published as 2006 Report Document #110. The 2005 Annual Report includes a summary of 2005 activities and related 2006 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 2004 Annual Report is published as 2005 Report Document #79. The 2004 Annual Report includes a summary of 2004 activities and related 2005 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 2003 Annual Report is published as 2004 Report Document #6. The 2003 Annual Report includes a summary of 2003 activities and related 2004 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 2002 Annual Report is published as 2003 House Document #27. The 2002 Annual Report includes a summary of 2002 activities and related 2003 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 2001 Annual Report is published as 2002 Senate Document #24. The 2001 Annual Report includes a summary of 2001 activities and related 2002 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building , located to the right of the Capitol Bus Loop at the corner of Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 2000 Annual Report is published as 2001 Senate Document #35. The 2000 Annual Report includes a summary of 2000 activities and related 2001 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 1999 Annual Report is published as 2000 House Document #102. The 1999 Annual Report includes a summary of 1999 activities and related 2000 General Assembly actions. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 1998 Annual Report is published as 1999 House Document #62. The 1998 Annual Report includes (i) a summary of 1998 activities and related 1999 General Assembly actions; and (ii) a review of the impact of managed care on the availablility and quality of ancillary medical services. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 1997 Annual Report is published as 1998 Senate Document #45. The 1997 Annual Report includes (i) a summary of 1997 activities and related 1998 General Assembly actions; (ii) a discussion of "point-of-service" health insurance plans; and (iii) a discussion of the major health care issues facing Virginia and the nation. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The 1996 Annual Report is published as 1997 Senate Document #29. The 1996 Annual Report includes (i) an overview of the Joint Commission's activities during 1996; (ii) a summary of the final status of the bills and resolutions included in the Joint Commission's package of legislative proposals submitted to the 1997 Session of the General Assembly; (iii) an assessment of the impact of managed care on the quality and availability of ancillary medical services; and (iv) a discussion of the major health care issues facing Virginia and the nation. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The section of the 1996 Annual Report which addresses the impact of managed care on ancillary service providers was written in response to the provisions of House Bill 2304 of the 1995 Session of the General Assembly. The third enactment clause of this bill directed the Joint Commission to include information on this issue in our 1996, 1997, and 1998 reports.

The Joint Commission on Health Care's 1995 Annual Report is published as 1997 House Document #9. The annual report includes: (i) an overview of the Joint Commission's activities during 1995; (ii) an analysis of the major health care issues facing Virginia and the nation; and (iii) a summary of the final status of the bills and resolutions included in the Joint Commission's package of legislative proposals submitted to the 1996 Session of the General Assembly. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

The Joint Commission on Health Care's 1994 Annual Report is published as 1996 House Document #64. The annual report includes: (i) an overview of the Joint Commission's activities during 1994; (ii) an analysis of the major health care issues facing Virginia and the nation; and (iii) a summary of the final status of the bills and resolutions included in the Joint Commission's package of legislative proposals submitted to the 1995 Session of the General Assembly. The report can be picked up at the bill room [(804) 786-6984] inside the General Assembly Building, located at Ninth and Broad Streets in Richmond, Virginia or you may request the bill room to mail you a copy. You may also click here to view the annual report in a pdf format.

• Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Study
  2003 Report Document #26. The provisions of a study resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 90) and six bills (Senate Bill 428 and House Bills 332, 1086, 1087, 1088, and 1089) were considered in completing a comprehensive study of the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) program. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Reimbursement of Noncontracting Ancillary Services Providers Study
  2003 Report Document #25. Senate Joint Resolution 125 of the 2002 Session of the General Assembly would have established a 14-member joint subcommittee to examine issues related to reimbursement of noncontracting ancillary services providers. SJR 125 was tabled and forwarded to JCHC for study. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Long-Term Care Insurance Reforms Study
  2002 Report Document #2. House Bill 2228 of the 2001 Session of the General Assembly directed the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance to include in its long-term care insurance regulations a requirement that insurers disclose certain information to consumers on their rate-setting practices. The second enactment clause of the bill directed the Joint Commission and the Bureau to review the experiences of other states in implementing a new premium rate-setting process for long-term care insurance developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and to recommend whether Virginia should adopt this new approach. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Virginia's Medical Savings Account Program Study
  2002 Senate Document No. 0D. Section 38.2-5603 of the Code of Virginia required the Joint Commission to "monitor the development" of the Virginia Medical Savings Account Plan. Section 38.2-5603 required the establishment of the Virginia Medical Savings Account Plan and imposes specific responsibilities concerning development of the plan on four state agencies. These agencies are the Department of Taxation, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Workers' Compensation Commission, and the Bureau of Insurance. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• SCHIP Waiver for Low-Income Adult Parents (COPN Follow-Up) Study
  2002 Senate Document No. 0G. This study was conducted as a follow-up to the Joint Commission's work in 2000 to develop a plan to eliminate COPN. While the deregulation plan was not approved by the 2001 Session of the General Assembly, the Joint Commission staff was directed to complete this study. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Long-Term Care Insurance Reporting/Disclosure Requirements Study
  2001 House Document No.00B. This study was conducted pursuant to House Bill 1511 of the 2000 Session and requested that the Joint Commission and the Bureau of Insurance study two specific issues regarding long-term care insurance policies. The second enactment clause of HB 1511 directed the Joint Commission and the Bureau to: (i) study the work of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' study group on reporting requirements and comparative disclosures of information for long-term care insurance policies; and (ii) survey other states with respect to reporting requirements and disclosure of information. HB 1511 required the Joint Commission and Bureau of Insurance to report to the members of the House Committee on Corporations, Insurance and Banking and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor prior to the 2001 Session of the General Assembly. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Improving Access to Dental Study
  2001 House Document #44. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 198 of the 2000 Session and examined ways to increase access to dental care throughout the Commonwealth. In addition, the study responds to issues included in House Joint Resolution 296 which requested the Department of Medical Assistance Services to study the feasibility of expanding coverage for dental care, including dentures, to Medicaid recipients. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Dental Study
  2000 House Document #86. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 729 of the 1999 Session and examined ways to increase access to dental care throughout the Commonwealth. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Health Insurance Issues
  2000 House Document #94. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 555, House Joint Resolution 601, House Bill 2708, Senate Joint Resolution 489, and Senate Bill 1235 and House Bill 871 of the 1999 Session and House Bill 2304 of the 1995 Session, and addressed six separate health insurance-related studies: Medicare Managed Care/Medigap Insurance for Disabled Persons; Group Insurance for the Self-Employed; Pooled Purchasing for Small Employers; Assignment of Health Insurance Benefit Payments; and Impact of Managed Care on Ancillary Medical Services. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Pooled Purchasing Arrangements for Small Employers, Community Health Centers and Free Clinics
  1999 House Document #51. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 202 of the 1998 Session, and assessed the issues regarding pooled purchasing arrangements for health insurance for small employers, community health centers, and free clinics. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Health Care Coverage for Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
  1999 House Document #52. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 268 of the 1998 Session, and assessed the adequacy of health care coverage for anorexia nervosa and bulimia. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Feasibility of Establishing a High Risk Pool in Virginia
  1999 Senate Document #22. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 126 of the 1998 Session, and continued the study of the feasibility of establishing a high risk insurance pool in Virginia. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• High Risk Pools and Other Related Health Insurance Issues
  1998 Senate Document #25. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 337 of the 1997 Session, and assessed the feasibility of implementing a high risk insurance pool in Virginia for persons who are uninsurable due to a high risk medical condition. The study also addresses other health insurance related issues, including (i) whether the Bureau of Insurance's regulatory authority should be extended to other policies which are issued out of state, but which cover Virginia residents; (ii) a review of technical amendments to Virginia's legislation which implemented the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996; and (iii) an assessment of community rating requirements and pre-existing condition limitations. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• "Point of Service" Study
  A separate report on this study was not published. However, this issue will be addressed in the 1997 Annual Report. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 297 and House Joint Resolution 631 of the 1997 Session, and assessed whether HMOs should be required to offer a "Point-of-Service" (POS) product. The 1997 study was a follow-up to a study conducted in 1996 on the POS issue.

• Indigent/Uninsured Study
  1998 Senate Document #43. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 298 of the 1997 Session, and reviewed a number of issues regarding the provision of health care for the indigent and uninsured. Included in the study is: (i) an anlysis of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, (ii) an analysis of a recent survey on the health insurance status of Virginians, (iii) a review of various programs Virginia has implemented to address the indigent/uninsured problem; and (iv) an analysis of additional steps Virginia could take to further improve access to insurance coverage and health care for the indigent/uninsured. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Impact of Legislative Proposals on Managed Care/"Point of Service" Mandate
  1997 House Document #79. This study was conducted pursuant to House Bill 1393 and House Joint Resolution 231 of the 1996 Session, and assessed whether HMOs should be required to offer a "Point-of-Service" product. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Reforms in the Individual Health Insurance Market
  1997 House Document #27. This study was conducted pursuant to House Bill 1026 of the 1996 Session, and analyzed whether additional reforms are needed in the individual health insurance market. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Impact of Virginia's Any Willing Provider Statute on the Cost and Quality of Health Care
  1995 Senate Document #23. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 158 of the 1994 Session, and assessed the impact of Virginia's "any willing provider" statute on the cost and quality of health care. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Health Insurance Purchasing Cooperatives
  1995 Senate Document #21. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 132 of the 1994 Session, and evaluated the feasibility of creating health insurance purchasing co-operatives in Virginia to increase the availability and affordability of insurance coverage for small groups. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• School-Based Health Insurance
  1995 House Document #19. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 191 of the 1994 Session, and assessed the feasibility of developing a school-based health insurance plan as a means of expanding health insurance coverage to uninsured school-aged children. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Issues Impacting Universal Access to Health Care for Virginia's Uninsured Children
  1995 House Document #32. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 183 of the 1994 Session, and evaluated the issues impacting universal access to health care for Virginia's uninsured children and the extent to which current initiatives should be expanded or revised to ensure that such access exists. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

Health Workforce Reports

• Licensing of Dietitians
  2006 Report Document #97. During the 2004 Session of the General Assembly, House Bill 455 was introduced and carried over to the 2005 Session. HB 455 would have required dietitians to be licensed by the Board of Medicine. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Prescriptive Authority of Physician Assistants
  2005 House Document #29. The 2001 General Assembly, in enacting House Bill 2318, expanded the prescriptive authority for physician assistants from Schedule VI to Schedules IV through VI drugs. The 2003 General Assembly enacted House Bill 2205 which expanded prescriptive authority for physician assistants further to include Schedule III controlled substances beginning July 1, 2004. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Prescriptive Authority of Nurse Practitioners
  2004 House Document #10. This study was conducted to study nurse practitioner prescriptive authority to determine the impact of the authority to prescribe Schedules III through VI controlled substances and devices on patient care, provider relationships, third-party reimbursement, physician practices, and patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner treatment. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Multi-State Nurse Licensure Compact Study
  2002 Senate Document No. 0H. This study was conducted as a follow-up to a study conducted in 2000 regarding actions the Commonwealth could take to recruit, train, and educate qualified nurses in Virignia. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Health Workforce Study
  2001 Senate Document No. 0C. Item 11 of the 2000 Appropriations Act directed the Joint Commission to continue its study of the various health workforce programs and initiatives related to improving access to care in underserved areas in cooperation with the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees, and to consult with and involve the Virginia Department of Health and the affected workforce programs and initiatives in its review. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Study of Strategies to Educate, Recruit, and Retain Qualified Nurses in Virginia
  2001 House Document #45. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 288 and Senate Joint Resolution 228 of the 2000 Session, and examined specific and effective short-and long-term strategies to educate, train, recruit and retain qualified nurses in Virginia. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Midwifery Study
  2000 House Document #76. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 646 of the 1999 Session, and examined the advisability of legalizing the practice of direct-entry midwifery in the Commonwealth. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Study of Health Workforce Data
  2000 House Document #87. This study was conducted pursuant to HJR 682 which directs the Joint Commission to study the need to collect workforce data on nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurse aides. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Health Workforce Study
  2000 House Document #89. This study was conducted pursuant to Item 12(B) of the 1999 Appropriation Act and directs the Joint Commission to review the efficiency, effectiveness, and outcomes of the Commonwealth's health workforce initiatives related to improving access to care in underserved areas. It also directs the Joint Commission's review to include these issues: (i) Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program, (ii) the various recruitment, scholarship and loan repayment programs, (iii) the activities of the Generalist Physician Initiative which relates to improving access to care in underserved areas, and (iv) the activities of other related private, nonprofit community-based organizations. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Study of a Centralized Planning and Funding Mechanism for Health Workforce Activities
  1999 House Document #49. This study was conducted pursuant to Item 12 of the 1998 Appropriation Act and evaluates a centralized planning and funding mechanism to ensure that the Commonwealth's health workforce activities and initiatives related to improving access to care in underserved areas are designed, administered, and funded in a coordinated manner that maximizes their efficiency and effectiveness. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Health Workforce Initiatives
  1996 Senate Document #5. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 308 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated the organization and effectiveness of state health workforce reform initiatives. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Optimum Use of Nurse Practitioners
  1995 Senate Document #25. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 164 of the 1994 Session, and evaluated the strategies and incentives necessary to promote cost-effective health care delivery by making optimum use of nurse practitioners. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Medicaid Asset Transfer Allowances
  2006 Report Document #93. House Bill 2601 (2005) would have permitted the Department of Medical Assistance Services, when appropriate, to seek a waiver of the Social Security Act under Section 1115 to create more restrictive asset transfer limits than those currently allowed under federal law or regulations. Ultimately, the bill was left in the Senate Finance Committee. However, upon the request of members of the Joint Commission on Health Care, this study was conducted to review a variety of issues raised by HB 2601. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Personal Maintenance Allowance within the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver
  2003 Report Document #23. Item 11 of the 2002-2004 Appropriations Act required a Joint Commission on Health Care evaluation of the personal maintenance allowance within the Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Employment Exceptions for Nursing Facility Employees
  2002 Report Document No. 5. House Bill 2748, as introduced during the 2001 Session of the General Assembly, amended the Code of Virginia Section 32.1-126.01 which delineates specific types of criminal convictions that serve as barrier crimes for individuals who want to work in a nursing home. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Nurse Staffing Ratios in Nursing Facilities
  2002 Senate Document No. 01. Senate Bill 1125 of the 2001 Session of the General Assembly would have required nursing homes in Virginia to meet minimum nurse staffing levels (expressed as a ratio of nurses and nurse aides to residents) in order to be licensed to operate in the Commonwealth. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Exceptions to Nursing Facility Reimbursement
  2002 Senate Document No. 0C. Senate Bill 1249 and House Bill 2276 of the 2001 Session of the General Assembly addressed concerns regarding the need for more timely reimbursement of extraordinary expenses encountered by nursing facilities. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Voluntary Closure of Long-Term Care Facilities
  2002 Senate Document No. 0B. House Bill 1920 and Senate Bill 845, which were introduced during the 2001 Session of the General Assembly, provided statutory requirements and resident protections that would apply to any long-term care facility which chose to voluntarily close or "not to renew its license or Medicare or Medicaid provider agreement...." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Licensure Issues in Long-Term Care
  2000 House Document #97. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 527, Senate Bill 1172 and Senate Bill 1173 of the 1999 Session, and examined several long-term care licensure and certification issues. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Assisted Living and Services for Vulnerable Adults Issues in Long-Term Care
  2000 House Document #98. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 689, House Joint Resolution 751, Senate Joint Resolution 485 and Senate Joint Resolution 486 of the 1999 Session, and examined several long-term care licensure, certification, and financing issues. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Long-Term Care Issues
  1999 House Document #50. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 156 and Senate Joint Resolution 97 of the 1998 Session, and examined issues related to adult care residences, adult foster care, and services for vulnerable adults. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Long-Term Care/Aging Study
  1998 Senate Document #28. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 316 and House Joint Resolution 655 of the 1997 Session, and examined a number of financing and coordination issues related to long-term care and aging. Specifically, the study addressed issues pertaining to the licensing, financing, organization, and regulation of long-term care facilities and community-based services. A companion study (Senate Document #36) addressed issues regarding continuing care retirement communities. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Continuing Care Retirement Communities
  1998 Senate Document #36. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Bill 1139 of the 1997 Session, and analyzed the management of applications for nursing facility projects in continuing care retirement communities under the Commonwealth's Medical Facilities Certificate of Public Need law and regulations. This study was conducted in conjunction with a broader study of long-term care and aging issues (Senate Document #36). You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Potential Abuses in Independent Living Arrangements
  1997 House Document #21. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 637 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated whether there are abuses of the "independent living" status for elderly and disabled persons residing in these types of living arrangements. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Exemptions and Regulatory Policy for PACE and Pre-PACE Projects
  1997 House Document #28. This study was conducted pursuant to House Bill 1130 of the 1996 Session, and identified appropriate exemptions to certain state insurance statutes and regulations pertaining to PACE and Pre-PACE projects. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Long-term Care Pharmacy Operations
  1996 House Document #12. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 642 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated whether certain changes in the regulations governing long-term care pharmacy operations are warranted. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

Health Care Cost and Quality Reports

• Effects of Health Care Cost Increases on Health Insurance Premiums Study
  2006 Senate Document #26. The provisions of a study resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 4) was considered in completing a comprehensive study of the derivative effects of increases in health care costs on health insurance premiums. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Federal Funding for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Programs in Virginia
  2006 House Document #6. Budget Item 11.B of Chapter 951 of the 2005 Acts of Assembly directed the Joint Commission to "conduct a study of federal funding to Virginia's HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Healthy Lives Prescription Assistance Plan
  2006 Report Document #95. House Bill 2225 and Senate Bill 1341, identical bills, enacted during the 2003 General Assembly Session amended the "Code of Virginia" to provide assistance for Virginians who are unable to pay for their prescription medications. The focus of the Plan is to establish a public-private partnership to develop a statewide system for assisting seniors, who do not have prescriptions drug coverage, in obtaining their prescription drugs. In addition, an enactment clause required the Joint Commission to prepare a plan for the provision of drug benefits. You may click here to view the summary page for the final report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Review of Newborn Screening in Virginia
  2005 House Document #28. House Joint Resolution 164 of the 2004 General Assembly Session directed the Joint Commission to "collect information regarding the newborn screening programs, conducted in other states, as well as the costs and benefits of screening." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Disclosure of Health Records
  2005 House Document #27. House Joint Resolution 134 of the 2004 General Assembly Session directed the Joint Commission to "study the use and disclosure of health records relative to Virginia law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)" in order to "consider the need for amendments to Virginia laws and recommend ways to assist health care providers and other relevant parties to understand and comply with state and federal heatlh record privacy laws." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Healthy Lives Prescription Assistance Plan
  2005 Report Document #17. House Bill 2225 and Senate Bill 1341, identical bills, enacted during the 2003 General Assembly Session amended the "Code of Virginia" to provide assistance for Virginians who are unable to pay for their prescription medications. The focus of the Plan is to establish a public-private partnership to develop a statewide system for assisting seniors, who do not have prescriptions drug coverage, in obtaining their prescription drugs. In addition, an enactment clause required the Joint Commission to prepare a plan for the provision of drug benefits. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Benefits of Public-Private Partnerships to Medicaid Recipients
  2005 Senate Document #13. Senate Joint Resolution 58 directed the Joint Commission on Health Care "to study how other states improved services and reduced their Medicaid health care and prescription drug costs throught public-private partnerships, in order to develop recommendations for Virginia's Medicaid program." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Authorization for Electronic Monitoring in Nursing Facilities
  2004 Report Document #15. Senate Bill 922 (2003) was passed by in the Senate Committee on Education and Health and forwarded to the Joint Commission on Health Care. This study examined the requirements of the Board of Health to promulgate regulations that "authorize the use of electronic monitoring devices in the room of a resident of a nursing home...for the purpose of detecting abuse or neglect of elderly or disabled persons..." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Healthy Lives Prescription Plan
  2004 Report Document #14. House Bill 2225 and Senate Bill 1341, identical bills, enacted during the 2003 General Assembly Session amended the "Code of Virginia" to provide assistance for Virginians who are unable to pay for their prescription medications. The focus of the Plan is to establish a public-private partnership to develop a statewide system for assisting seniors, who do not have prescriptions drug coverage, in obtaining their prescription drugs. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Medicaid Reimbursement of Physicians
  2003 Report Document #32. Based on provisions included in two identical resolutions (House Joint Resolution 42 and Senate Joint Resolution 38) during the 2002 General Assembly Session, the Joint Commission on Health Care conducted a study on Medicaid reimbursement of physicians. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Local Health Partnership Authorities
  2003 Report Document #24. House Bill 2060 of the 2001 General Assembly Session authorized the creation of local health partnership authorities, including a pilot project in Planning District 8. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Eye Examinations Prior to School Enrollment
  2003 Report Document #22. Provisions included in House Bill 517 of the 2002 General Assembly Session would have added a "comprehensive eye examination" by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist to the physical examination requirements for a pupil entering a public elementary school in Virginia for the first time. HB 517 was continued and referred to JCHC for study. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Revised/New Indigent Health Care Trust Fund (COPN Follow-Up)
  2002 Senate Document No. 0A. The Joint Commission introduced legislation during the 2001 Session of the General Assembly (Senate Bill 1084 and HB 2155) which would have substantially eliminated the state's COPN program in three separate phases. One phases suggested the Joint Commission "design a proposal for incorporating deregulated services into the Indigent Health Care Trust Fund or a new indigent care program." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Critical Access Hospital Program (COPN Follow-Up)
  2002 Senate Document No. 0F. The Joint Commission introduced legislation during the 2001 Session of the General Assembly (Senate Bill 1084 and HB 2155) which would have substantially eliminated the state's COPN program in three separate phases. One phases suggested the Joint Commission "study a possible state component to correspond with the federal critical access hospital program as set forth in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, P.L. 105-33 and Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, as amended." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• A Plan to Eliminate the Certificate of Public Need Program Study
  2001 Senate Document No. 0A. Senate Bill 337 called for the elimination of the certificate of public need program and provided that the deregulation of the program would be in accordance with a plan to be developed by the Joint Commission. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Drug-Testing Policies in Certain Health Care Settings Study
  2001 Senate Document No. 0B. Senate Bill 557 "would have required every health care provider regulated by the Board of Health to initiate drug-free workplace initiatives. Although the members [of the Senate Committee on Education and Health] considered this bill to have merit, they felt that the many issues relating to the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act, state and federal constitutional constraints on allowable drug-testing policies, and employee and employer concerns required additional study. Thus upon the recommendation of the Health Care Subcommittee, the Committee approved a motion to carry this bill over to the 2001 Session and to request the Joint Commission to study the issues presented by SB 557." You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Review of the Confidentiality of Patient Medical Records Study
  2001 Senate Document No. 0D. Following the 2000 General Assembly Session, the Senate Committee on Education and Health requested the Joint Commission to study issues relating to patient consent for release of medical records, ownership of medical records, and patient confidentiality via a letter from the Chairman. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Virginia's Brain Injury Registry
  2001 House Document #43. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 219 and Senate Joint Resolution 190 of the 2000 Session, and examined the system for reporting brain injuries to the central registry. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Patient Safety and Medical Errors Study
  2001 House Document #47. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 9 of the 2000 Session, and examined current Virginia and national data regarding adverse medical events. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Palliative Care Study
  2001 House Document #46. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 369 of the 2000 Session, and examined various issues related to palliative care. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Acupuncture
  2000 Senate Document #36. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 493 of the 1999 Session, and examined quality of care and reimbursement issues related to telemedicine. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Organ Donation and Transplantation
  2000 Senate Document #37. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 454 of the 1999 Session and Item 335 of the 1999 Appropriation Act. SJR 454 continued the review of organ donation issues in the Commonwealth. Item 335 (HH) directed the Department of Medical Assistance Services to assist the Joint Commission in a review of Medicaid coverage and reimbursement policies for organ transplants. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Lyme Disease
  2000 Senate Document #46. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 347 of the 1999 Session, and examined issues relating to the incidence, reporting, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease in the Commonwealth. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Academic Health Centers
  2000 Senate Document #47. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 464 of the 1999 Session, and examined financial and operational challenges facing academic health centers in the Commonwealth. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Cancer Registry
  2000 House Document #73. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 524 and Senate Bill 942 of the 1999 Session, and examined Virginia's statewide cancer registry. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Renal Dialysis/Mammography
  2000 House Document #74. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolutions 556 and 642 of the 1999 Session. HJR 556 examined the adequacy of state oversight of freestanding renal dialysis facilities. HJR 642 examined the feasibility of regulating mammography equipment, facilities, and services in Virginia. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Advanced Directives
  2000 House Document #75. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 603 of the 1999 Session, and examined the use of advanced directives in the Commonwealth. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Prenatal and Obstetrical Medical Education
  2000 House Document #77. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 656 of the 1999 Session, and examined the ways the Commonwealth can adopt Medicaid and state employee reimbursement policies to improve medical education experiences in prenatal and obstetrical care. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Asthma
  2000 House Document #78. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 729 of the 1999 Session, and examined the incidence, prevalence and impact of asthma on the Commonwealth's citizens. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Therapeutic Interchange of Chemically Dissimilar Drugs
  2000 House Document #88. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 734 of the 1999 Session, and examined issues related to therapeutic interchange of chemically dissimilar drugs. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Ombudsman Program/External Appeals Mechanism
  1999 Senate Document #24. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 99 of the 1998 Session, and examined the concepts of an external appeals mechanism and an ombudsman program for health insurance issues. Specifically, the study assesses the costs and benefits of an ombudsman program for health insurance issues; and (ii) the costs and benefits of requiring an external appeals mechanism for managed care health insurance plans. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Participation of Academic Health Centers in Managed Care Provider Networks
  1999 Senate Document #25. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 108 of the 1998 Session, and examined the opportunities to enhance the ability of the Commonwealth's academic health centers (the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, and Eastern Virginia Medical School) to participate in managed care networks. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Reimbursement and Quality of Care Issues Regarding Telemedicine
  1999 House Document #48. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 210 of the 1998 Session, and directed the Joint Commission on study reimbursement and quality of care issues related to telemedicine. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Commonwealth's Role in Overseeing Managed Care
  1997 Senate Document #7. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 67 of the 1996 Session, and examined the appropriate role of the Commonwealth in overseeing the managed care industry. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Impact of Medicaid Managed Care on Durable Medical Equipment and Pharmacy Providers
  1997 Senate Document #25. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 62 of the 1996 Session, and examined the impact that Medicaid managed care programs have had on durable medical equipment companies and pharmacy services. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Entities Involved in State Health Care Policy or Regulation
  1997 Senate Document #8. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 104 of the 1996 Session, and reviewed the various entities receiving state funds or having responsibilities for health care policy and regulations. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Virginia's Certificate of Public Need Program
  1997 House Document #82. This study was conducted pursuant to House Bill 1302 of the 1996 Session, and examined the appropriateness of Virginia's Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Program with added emphasis on whether or not outpatient or ambulatory surgical centers should remain subject to this law. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Telemedicine
  1996 House Document #6. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 455 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated the use of telemedicine to provide better, more accessible health care to the citizens of Virginia. The study specifically analyzed: (i) the means of implementing telemedicine; (ii) the success rate of telemedicine; (iii) potential cost savings from telemedicine; (iv) the potential of telemedicine to improve health care; and (v) impediments to successful utilization of telemedicine. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Virginia's Health Care Cost and Quality Data Initiatives
  1996 House Document #11. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 513 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated the organization and effectiveness of Virginia's health care cost and quality data initiatives. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Access to Obstetrical Care for the Women of Rural Virginia
  1996 Senate Document #13. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 331 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated whether women in rural Virginia have appropriate access to obstetrical care. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Need for and Efficacy of a Statewide Trauma Triage Plan
  1996 Senate Document #23. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 353 of the 1995 Session, and evaluated the need for and efficacy of establishing a pre-hospital and inter-hospital triage and transport plan to ensure that trauma patients are treated at the most appropriate trauma facility. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Organized Health Services Delivery
  1995 Senate Document #22. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 126 of the 1994 Session, and examined various issues related to the development and utilization of organized health services delivery systems in Virginia. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Impact of Defensive Medical Practices and Procedures
  1995 Senate Document #24. This study was conducted pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 159 of the 1994 Session, and assessed the effect of defensive medical care and negligent medical care upon the cost and quality of health care. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Impact of Managed Health Care System Practices on Medical Laboratory Services
  1995 House Document #20. This study was conducted pursuant to House Joint Resolution 233 of the 1994 Session, and evaluated the impact of managed health care system practices on the quality and competitiveness of medical laboratory services. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

Behavioral Health Care Reports

• Interim Report on the Impact of Barrier Crime Laws Study
  2006 Senate Document #25. The provisions of a study resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 106) was considered in completing a comprehensive study of the impact of barrier crimes laws on social service and health care employers, prospective employees, consumers, residents, patients, and clients. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.

• Report on Needs of Individuals Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity or Incompetent to Stand Trial
  2006 Senate Document #5. Senate Joint Resolution 324 of the 2005 General Assembly Session directed the Joint Commission on Health Care to "study the needs of individuals found not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) or incompetent to stand trial (IST)." You may click here to view the summary page for the report.

• Report on Mental Health Needs and Treatment of Young Minority Adults
  2006 Senate Document #4. Senate Joint Resolution 25 of the 2004 General Assembly Session directed the Joint Commission on Health Care to "study the mental health needs and treatment of young minority adults in the Commonwealth." You may click here to view the summary page for the report.

• Interim Report on Mental Health Needs and Treatment of Young Minority Adults
  2005 Senate Document #12. Senate Joint Resolution 25 of the 2004 General Assembly Session directed the Joint Commission on Health Care to "study the mental health needs and treatment of young minority adults in the Commonwealth." You may click here to view the summary page for the report.

• Treatment Options for Offenders Who Have Mental Illness or Substance Abuse Disorders
  2004 Senate Document #9. Senate Joint Resolution 97 and House Joint Resolution 142 of the 2002 General Assembly Session continued the study first requested in Senate Joint Resolution 440 during the 2001 General Assembly Session. SJR 97 and HJR 142 (2002) continued "the study of certain mental health needs, training, and treatment issues." You may click here to view the summary page for the report.

• Emergency Medical and Mental Health Services in Public Schools
  2003 Report Document #30. The provisions of House Joint Resolution 43 were considered in conducting a review of emergency medical and mental health services in public schools. You may click here to view the summary page for the report and access a copy in a pdf format.