The proposed bill aims to enhance hospital transparency in West Virginia by introducing a new article to the Code of West Virginia, specifically designated as Article 67. It outlines legislative findings regarding the rising costs of healthcare and the impact of hospital consolidation on prices. The bill defines key terms and establishes the duties of the West Virginia Health Care Authority, which includes the requirement for hospitals to file annual financial reports and other relevant data. Hospitals will be mandated to publish their financial information on their websites and submit detailed reports to the Authority, which will be made available for public inspection.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Public Employees Insurance Agency and the Bureau for Medical Services must provide the Authority with their rates by procedure code starting July 1, 2026. It includes provisions for rulemaking, penalties for non-compliance, and the effective date of the article. Specifically, hospitals that fail to comply with the reporting requirements will face a penalty of $1,000 for each day of continued non-compliance after receiving notice from the Authority. The overall goal of the bill is to promote transparency in hospital pricing and improve access to healthcare information for consumers and health plans.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6
Committee Substitute: 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6, 16-67-7, 16-67-8, 16-29B-24
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 16-67-1, 16-67-2, 16-67-3, 16-67-4, 16-67-5, 16-67-6, 16-67-7, 16-67-8