Children's Health Insurance Board.

In 1997 Congress amended the Social Security Act to create Title XXI "State Children's Health Insurance Program." The West Virginia Legislature established the insurance governance and legal framework in legislation that was enacted in April 1998. Children first began enrolling in the West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP) in July 1998 and by June 2003 over 50,000 children had obtained health care coverage through this Plan. Click on Senate Bill 565 and House Bill 4299 to learn more about how WVCHIP was created.

WVCHIP reports to a governing board made up of citizen members, legislators, and state agency members who are responsible for the Program's annual financial plan. The West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Board meets at least four times each year and meetings are open to the public. Please contact Brenda Jones at (304) 558-2732 for a list of upcoming board meetings.

The West Virginia state law states that the Children's Health Insurance Board will consist of:

The Chairperson (Director of WVCHIP)
The Director of the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA)
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources, or a designee
Six citizen members (appointed by the Governor):

  • One who represents children's interests, shall have experience that demonstrates knowledge in the health, educational and social needs of children
  • One who is a certified public accountant (CPA)
  • Three who have bachelor's degrees and experience in the administration or design of public or private employee or group benefit programs
  • No more than three citizen members may be members of the same political party
  • A member of the Senate, as appointed by the Senate President (non-voting member); and a member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates (non-voting member)

Currently, the following members comprise the Children's Health Insurance Board:

 

  1. Sharon L. Carte – CHIP Director, and the Board Chairperson
  2. Jason Haught – Acting Director of PEIA
  3. Martha Walker – Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources
  4. Margie Hale - Citizen Member
  5. Larry Hudson – certified public accountant (CPA)
  6. Travis Hill– insurance expertise
  7. Judith Radcliff - Citizen Member
  8. Lynn T. Gunnoe – insurance expertise
  9. Debra Sullivan - Citizen Member
  10. Roman W. Prezioso – West Virginia Senate
  11. Margarette R. Leach – West Virginia House of Delegates

A History of Board Members is available for viewing.

If there are any substantive comments or questions for the Board, they should be submitted in writing to the Board by sending them to:

WVCHIP Board
1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Suite 209

Charleston, WV 25301

Note: Please mail application to appropriate DHHR office.

View the following documents to learn how WVCHIP was implemented in the state of West Virginia after being created in 1998.

Upcoming Board Meetings

For more information about upcoming board meetings, please contact Brenda Jones at (304) 558-2732.

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