2008 Legislative Impact of JLARC Studies - Virginia Joint Legislative ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

y JLARC staff, classrooms appeared to provide a positive academicand social experience for students. VPI students do well inpre-kindergarten and kindergarten literacy tests, and kindergartenteachers and elementary school principals see at-risk prekindergartengraduates performing well. Data limitations meantthat conclusions could not be drawn about the long-term success ofVPI graduates. The study also noted that the estimated per-pupilcost for quality preschool in urban and suburban school divisions isgreater than the $5,700 used by the State in determining Stateand local cost shares. Statewide, the typical per-pupil amount reportedby school divisions for providing high-quality preschool was$6,790.With regard to universal preschool, JLARC staff found that thereis a lesser body of compelling evidence relating to the benefits ofpreschool for children who are not at risk than for children who areat risk. Overall, available studies suggest that preschool can benefitchildren who are not at risk, but to a lesser extent than thebenefit for at-risk children. The study concluded that Virginia'scurrent focus for VPI—placing a priority on the children who havethe greatest needs and can benefit the most—appears to be appropriate.Actions by the Governor and 2008 General Assembly• The Governor’s budget bill proposed that applicants for VPIfunding could certify a per-pupil amount between $5,700 andthe $6,790 amount that was shown as an option in theJLARC report. Under this proposal, the State would provideits share of the cost of the certified amount.• The State budget as approved increased the per-pupilamount for VPI from $5,700 to $6,000. To further increaseparticipation, the approved budget also capped the requiredlocal share of the $6,000 cost at 50 percent.• Funding was provided in the approved budget to pay a Stateshare of 3,646 additional slots in FY 2009 (compared to FY2008 participation levels), and to pay a State share of 1,029additional slots in FY 2010 (compared to FY 2009).INTERIM REVIEW OF THE RESULTS OF ABUSIVE DRIVERFEES IN VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATESIn October 2007, the Chairman of the Joint Commission on TransportationAccountability requested that JLARC staff conduct aninterim review of civil remedial fees, also known as abusive driverfees. These fees, which were assessed on persons convicted of certaindriving and motor vehicle-related offenses, had been in placeImpact of JLARC Studies, May 2008 4
since July 1, 2007. The Chairman desired that JLARC staff assessany possible effects that the fees may have had on driving behaviorand State revenues, and to also include information on the effectsof similar fees in other states.The study reached four main conclusions. First, a great deal of uncertaintyexisted among law enforcement officers and judges regardingwhich offenses were subject to the fees. Second, data onarrest rates showed that the fees did not have a discernible deterrenteffect upon driving behavior. Third, revenue projections werebased on some uncertain assumptions and the original estimate of$65 million in annual revenues could be off by as much as $28 millionin either direction. Fourth, because the penalty for nonpaymentwas suspension of driving privileges, more than 300,000suspension orders could be issued to Virginia drivers in the firsttwo years after the fees were imposed.Actions by the 2008 General Assembly• Senate Bill 1 (Houck) and House Bill 1243 (Hugo) repealedthe abusive driver fees.EVALUATIONS OF PROPOSED MANDATEDHEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITSThe Code of Virginia requires JLARC to provide staff assistance tothe Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health InsuranceBenefits. JLARC staff are to evaluate the social and economic costsand benefits of proposed health insurance mandates. In 2007,JLARC staff evaluated three proposed mandates requiring coverageof the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, second opinionsfor primary malignant brain tumor patients at NCI ComprehensiveCancer Centers, and prosthetic devices. JLARC staff alsoevaluated two proposals to repeal the mandated offer for high-dosechemotherapy (HDC) with an autologous bone marrow transplant(ABMT) or stem cell transplant (SCT) for breast cancer.The JLARC staff evaluations found evidence to support the mandateproposals in two areas. The prosthetics mandate is consistentwith the role of health insurance and would establish a minimumlevel of coverage for individuals requiring prostheses. The repeal ofthe HDC-ABMT/SCT mandate is appropriate because recent researchhas determined that HDC-ABMT/SCT provides no additionalbenefit over conventional chemotherapy and is rarely usedin the treatment of breast cancer.The JLARC staff evaluations concluded that neither the proposedHPV mandate nor the second opinions mandate is necessary.Impact of JLARC Studies, May 2008 5
Page 1 and 2: Impact of JLARC StudiesMay 2008The
Page 3: • A companion to HB 503, Senate B

2008 Legislative Impact of JLARC Studies - Virginia Joint Legislative ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?