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This resolution was passed by the House Health and Human Resouces Committee on March 23 for an interim study on the issue.

You can view HCR 46 here.

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March 22, 2009
Settlement resolves wrongful firing claim
Staff writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A settlement of nearly $100,000 has been paid to former West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board administrative law judge Tom Gillooly to resolve his wrongful firing claim.

Gillooly was fired without explanation by the board in August, one month after he had raised questions with the West Virginia State Bar about two other board ALJs, Brenda Gould and Denise Spatafore, having inactive status as lawyers.

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West Virginia Gazette

Section: Perspective

22 March 2009

By: Phil Kabler

March Madness: Some of the most contentious bills over the years have dealt with health-care professions protecting their turf when it comes to authority to perform various procedures. Most recently , there was a tug-of-war among dentists, dental hygienists and dentist assistants over what procedures the latter two could perform without a dentist present.

This year, the fight is between ophthalmologists and optometrists over proposed legislation to allow optometrists (who receive four years of vocational training) to perform certain surgical procedures (primarily, laser surgery) currently restricted to ophthalmologists (who are physicians).

Depending on who you talk to, the disagreement literally got physical last week, following a House Health and Human Resources subcommittee meeting on the legislation (HB2978).

Following the meeting, there was an altercation in the East Wing hallway between Charleston ophthalmologist Dr Lawrence Minardi and Nelson Robinson, who lobbies for the state Optometric Association.

According to those siding with the ophthalmologists, Robinson shoved Minardi.

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State Journal

Section: Government

By Walt Williams

Charleston – Eye-care specialists are at odds over a proposed law that would give the state’s optometrists more authority to prescribe medications and perhaps perform some minor surgeries.

The proposal has pitted the West Virginia’s optometrists against nearly the rest of the state’s medical community, which has lined up in opposition to the legislation. However, optometrists said they are seeking what already is available to their counterparts in a majority of states. The legislation’s opponents are mischaracterizing the bill by claiming it would give them the authority to perform eye surgery.

“This bill is not about optometrists doing surgery,” Bill Radcliff, a Huntington optometrist, said. “It’s about changing an antiquated (law) that tries to specifically outline what medication may be provided only now but in the future.”

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A bill working its way through the Legislature would give optometrists more authority to prescribe medication and perform minor surgeries, much to the chagrin of ophthalmologists.

Story by Walt Williams
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CHARLESTON  -- Eye-care specialists are at odds over a proposed law that would give the state’s optometrists more authority to prescribe medications and perhaps perform some minor surgeries.

The proposal has pitted the West Virginia’s optometrists against nearly the rest of the state’s medical community, which has lined up in opposition to the legislation. However, optometrists said they are seeking what already is available to their counterparts in a majority of states. The legislation’s opponents are mischaracterizing the bill by claiming it would give them the authority to perform eye surgery.