CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Any legislative effort to attempt to clear the way for the privatization of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg should not be taken up in a Special Session, according to Senator Ron Miller (D-Greenbrier, 10).
“This is something that should be done in a Regular Session and given proper vetting, so stakeholders have an opportunity to speak. This is a big issue,” Miller said.
With the help of legislative attorneys, Senator Craig Blair (R-Berkeley, 15) is in the process of drafting a proposed bill that, if approved, would let WVSOM, which has been a public school since 1976, become a private, non-profit institution.
At a time when the number of colleges and universities in West Virginia is being questioned, Blair said he’s seeking another option for the school that trains doctors in a “whole person” approach to health care.
“The last thing I want to do is do any type of dictating in the state of West Virginia,” he said. “What we want to do is be able to enable, if they choose to and they want to, we’re giving them the opportunity to go a different path.”
That “different path,” Blair said, could lead to more growth.
Each class at the WVSOM, one of three medical schools in West Virginia, is limited to 200 students
A move to the private sector for the School of Osteopathic Medicine could also translate to savings for West Virginia.
Currently, the annual state allocation for WVSOM is about $6.8 million, a number that has been declining in recent years.
The school is a good investment, in Miller’s view. “We’re a magnet for, particularly, rural doctors who want to practice in rural West Virginia and part of the mission of the school is to do that,” he said.
A portion of the school’s mission statement reads as follows: “WVSOM is dedicated to serve, first and foremost, the state of West Virginia and the health care needs of its residents, emphasizing primary care in rural areas.”
In June, WVSOM’s Board of Governors approved a resolution in support of the privatization possibility.
Miller said he believed school officials were “trying to survive” with that move and called for caution, going forward with the proposal.
A three-day Special Session later this year, Miller argued on Monday’s MetroNews “Talkline” during an appearance with Blair, would not be enough time to fully weigh the ramifications of such a change.
“What’s the hurry if it takes another year and another year after that? If it’s important we can do it that way. Let’s not rush this thing at the last minute,” Miller said.
“Millions of dollars is the reason,” Blair replied.
Lawmakers return to Charleston for interim meetings on Aug. 21.
A Special Session is expected to be called during September interim meetings, scheduled to begin on Sept. 18, to allocate state funding for the June flood response.