Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Ways & Means Committee

SB 6002

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Abolishing the Washington state quality forum.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser and Pridemore; by request of Health Care Authority.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Repeals the Washington State Quality Forum.

  • Repeals the requirement that the Department of Health provide the quality forum information on adverse health events and incident reports.

Hearing Date: 4/25/09

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392)

Background:

The Washington State Quality Forum (Forum) within the Health Care Authority was established by the Legislature in 2007. The Forum's responsibilities include the collection and dissemination of research on health care quality, evidence-based medicine, and patient safety to promote best practices. The Forum is also tasked to coordinate the collection of health care quality data among state health care purchasing agencies, and adopt a set of measures to evaluate and compare health care cost, quality, and provider performance.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington State Quality Forum is repealed. The requirement that the Department of Health provide the Quality Forum information on adverse health events and incident reports is repealed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.