Statutory Authority

The Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC), a standing Commission of the General Assembly, was established in 1992 to continue the work of the Commission on Health Care for All Virginians. Moreover, as of July 1, 2003, JCHC assumed the responsibilities of the Joint Commission on Behavioral Health Care.

Activities of the Joint Commission on Health Care

In keeping with its statutory mandate, the Joint Commission completed studies; considered the comments of advocates, industry representatives, and other interested parties; and introduced legislation to advance the quality of health care, long-term care and behavioral health care in the Commonwealth.

Legislation Proposed for the 2007 General Assembly Session

The JCHC legislative package included six bills, three resolutions, and 15 budget amendments. The bills address such issues as procedures involved in pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, authorization for the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to pursue federal approval to expand participation in Medicaid and Family Access and Medical Insurance Security Plan (FAMIS) programs, and removing the sunset clause on health data reporting requirements, to name a few. Resolutions were introduced that addressed: encouraging DMAS to expand the use of managed care where feasible; requesting that DMAS study the impact of modifications to existing programs for public subsidy of employer-sponsored or other private health insurance coverage for Medicaid-eligible individuals; and requesting state agencies, which provide medical and supportive long-term services to seniors, to report their long-term care expenditures to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources.