1667 AMH GREE BLAC 244

HB 1667 - H AMD 305

By Representative Green

ADOPTED 3/14/2007

   On page 1, line 9, after "members of" strike "((that)) every" and insert "that"

   On page 2, beginning on line 3, after "(2)" strike all material through "programs." on line 17, and insert "For all credentials issued after January 1, 2008, in addition to the credentialing fee, the secretary shall impose an annual surcharge of one dollar and fifty cents on all credentialed health professionals operating under the health professions account created under RCW 43.70.320. The surcharge shall be placed in the health professions account and used to reduce the fee when the annual base renewal fee for any credentialed health profession exceeds five hundred dollars per year to conduct core credentialing and disciplinary activities. Annual base renewal fees do not include special surcharges that may also be collected at the time of the credential renewal. This provision does not apply to regulated business entities whose funds reside with the health professions account.

   NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of health shall review the effectiveness of the equity surcharge established in RCW 43.70.250 with respect to eliminating inequities in the level of credentialing fees paid by health care providers regulated by the department of health. The review shall specifically consider the effect of the surcharge in reducing credentialing fees for professions with high fees and increasing the number of health care providers in those professions. The review shall provide any recommendations that would increase administrative efficiency and provide greater equity in credentialing fee amounts. The department of health shall submit its report to the legislature by November 15, 2010.

    NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act expires on July 1, 2011."

   Correct the title.

EFFECT: Removes the three levels of health professions fees. Imposes a $1.50 surcharge upon each health profession credential that shall be applied to reduce the fees of those health professions that have an annual fee that exceeds $500.

   The Department of Health is directed to conduct a review of the    effect of the surcharge in reducing credentialing fees by    November 15, 2010.

   The act expires on July 1, 2011.