H-3551.3  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2775

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      53rd Legislature     1994 Regular Session

By Representatives Sommers, Ogden and L. Johnson

Read first time 01/24/94.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Requiring the health care authority to examine including inmates in health care purchasing prior to 1997.

    AN ACT Relating to health services for inmates of correctional institutions; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  In the Washington health services act of 1993, RCW 41.05.022(2) the legislature directed the governor, by January 1, 1997, to submit legislation to place the purchasing of health benefits for persons incarcerated in institutions administered by the department of corrections into the risk pool administered by the health care authority.  During the transition to unified health services purchasing, the legislature intends to improve the efficiency of health services delivered to inmates of correctional institutions.

    The legislature finds that this state, with its recent comprehensive health care reforms, is in a unique position to evaluate the level of care provided to inmates in its correctional facilities.  For the first time, a uniform benefits package has been defined and will be made available to citizens of the state.  This standard can serve as a benchmark for what should be available for those incarcerated in the state's prisons.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) By November 1, 1994, the health care authority shall evaluate the following:

    (a) The potential of utilizing or adapting management information systems and payment systems currently used by the health care authority, the department of labor and industries, or the department of social and health services medical assistance administration for those services purchased by the department of corrections on a fee-for-service basis;

    (b)  The potential of utilizing the resource-based relative value scale reimbursement system for purchasing physician services for inmates;

    (c) The potential of utilizing prospective inpatient hospital reimbursement systems to purchase health services for inmates;

    (d) The potential of utilizing current state procedures for the purchase of prescription drugs and medical devices for inmates;

    (e) The potential of contracting with managed health care systems on a capitated basis to provide care to inmates of correctional institutions;

    (f) The feasibility of the health care authority acting as the purchasing agent for any or all of the department of corrections health care needs before the January 1, 1997, date specified in the Washington health services act.

    (2) By November 1, 1995, the health care authority shall evaluate:  The level of care available to inmates, and the utilization rates of inmates of correctional facilities.  The health care authority shall use as a benchmark the level of care available through the uniform benefits package as defined by the health care commission.

    (3) The health care authority shall report on the results of its evaluation to the appropriate committees of the legislature by November 1, 1994, and November 1, 1995.

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