The Bureau of Senior Services focuses on the changing needs of older West Virginians with programs that promote health, dignity and independence.

The Office of the Inspector General, by impartial evaluation, investigation and reporting, seeks to ensure the integrity of department programs and operations including the fair, accurate and nondiscriminatory delivery of benefits and services to qualified state residents.

West Virginia has 58 senior centers across the state, mostly broken down by county. These centers provide everything from recreation to discounted meals to assistance with Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid.

West Virginia has dozens of case management agencies across the state, each covering one or more counties. These agencies are diverse organizations administering many programs that provide nutrition, home-based care, basic living needs, and important referral and networking services to assist residents in locating resources that can serve their needs.

The Bureau of Public Health oversees all chronic disease programs.

The Department of Health & Human Resources administers programs that benefit the citizens of West Virginia.

Offices of the Insurance Commissioner staff monitor, regulate and license agents, agencies and insurance companies. Assistance is also provided for consumers who have problems and questions.

Legal Aid of West Virginia provides free advocacy services to West Virginians.

West Virginians for Affordable Health Care is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization under IRC 501(c)(4) organized in Nov. 2005, by a diverse group of individuals concerned about the rising cost of health care and health care insurance coverage. The group is funded by membership dues, public donations and grants. No member is paid for serving on the Board of Directors.

Quality legal services are critical to seniors to protect their homes, income security, access to health care and other benefits, and their autonomy. The West Virginia Senior Legal Aid Inc. (WVSLA) believes that access to these important services should not be an accident of geography. Needy senior West Virginians ages 60 and older anywhere in the state can get help from WVSLA, which is based in Morgantown.

National Association of Social Workers is a professional membership association for social workers, specializing in: continuing social work education; legislative and political action; social policy and professional development; and leadership development opportunities.

The West Virginia Health Care Association Inc. is the largest trade association representing nursing facilities and assisted-living communities in West Virginia. The group's website has a consumers' section for tools and resources on long-term care in West Virginia. The website also includes a list of nursing facilities and assisted-living communities.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) are private, mostly not-for-profit organizations, staffed by doctors and other health care professionals, who are trained to review medical care, to help beneficiaries with complaints about the quality of care and to implement improvements in the quality of care available throughout the spectrum of care. QIOs are required under Sections 1152-1154 of the Social Security Act.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a national program that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIP, formerly the Information, Counseling and Assistance (ICA) grants program, was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. The goal is to protect older people and to preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The federal program was created in 1996 by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and amended in 2006 by Titles II and IV of the Older Americans Act.

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and older in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provide a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home- and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best.

The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The office resolves complaints and educates seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. The ombudsman also provides information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA).

David L. Ramsey joined Charleston Area Medical Center Health System in September 2000. Previously he served as executive vice president and CEO of Baton Rouge General Medical Center and as senior vice president of General Health Inc. He was also secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. Ramsey is a member of the West Virginia Hospital Association, the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Hospital Association. He earned his master’s in health care administration and planning from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Tom Jones has served as president and CEO of the West Virginia United Healthcare System since 2002. Before obtaining his current position, he was CEO of Genesis Hospital System Inc. and executive director and CEO of St. Mary’s Medical System in West Virginia. He is chair of the American Hospital Association Region 3 Policy Board, and is sits on the boards of the American Hospital Association and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He holds a master’s in hospital administration from the University of Minnesota and a certificate in the CEO program for healthcare leadership at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Michael G. Sellards has been president and CEO of St. Mary’s Medical Center since 2000. Previously, he served as executive director and CEO of Pleasant Valley Hospital in West Virginia. He is a delegate with the American Hospital Association Region 3 Policy Board and a member of the West Virginia Hospital Association Board of Trustees.

Darryl L. Duncan has served as president and CEO of Monongalia Health System since February 2011. Previously, he was the chief operating officer for Monongalia and added more than 30 physicians to the Monongalia General staff. Earlier in his career, he was chief operating officer of Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Illinois and chief executive officer of Transitional Hospital of Chicago. He earned a master’s degree in hospital and health administration from Xavier University in Ohio and a master’s in industrial engineering from West Virginia University.

Before becoming president and CEO of Cabell Huntington Hospital in 2000, Brent A. Marsteller was CEO of Gulf Coast Medical Center in Florida. He has more than 34 years of experience in health care administration, and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He earned a master’s in hospital administration from the Medical College of Virginia.

This House committee considers matters pertaining to the health of West Virginia residents.

This Senate committee considers matters pertaining to the health of West Virginia residents.