FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5360

PARTIAL VETO

C 299 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Establishing a community health care collaborative grant program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Brandland, Franklin, Murray, Brown, Ranker, Fraser, Parlette and Kohl-Welles).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

House Committee on Ways & Means

Background: The Community Health Care Collaborative (CHCC) Grant Program was established by the Legislature in 2006 to enhance and support the efforts of collaborative community-based organizations in developing health care delivery models that could be duplicated throughout the state. The program was created because the Legislature found that community-based health care organizations had been able to increase access to care and improve quality care, especially to uninsured and underinsured persons. The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) was authorized to provide competitive grant awards to eligible community-based organizations, in consultation with the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Services, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. The program became effective in July 2006 and is due to expire on June 30, 2009.

In an evaluation of the program issued in 2008, results showed that the CHCC had provided services to over 60,000 people who needed access to care. It also demonstrated significant coordination of volunteer medical services, and an ability to leverage outside funding. The report recommended a continued state role supporting and sustaining community-based health care collaboratives.

Summary: The CHCC Grant Program is established to further efforts of community-based coalitions to increase access to appropriate, affordable health care, especially for employed, low income persons and children in school who are uninsured and underinsured. The HCA is authorized to award two-year grants with funds appropriated for this purpose. Eligibility criteria for receiving grants is described for applicants serving a defined geographic region and public agencies under the jurisdiction of a political subdivision or tribal government. The grants will be awarded competitively based on each applicants' ability to show measurable improvement in health care access and quality, collaboration with key community partners and public health and safety networks, success leveraging funds from other sources, sustainability, and innovative approaches to serving their geographic region.

Votes on Final Passage:

Partial Veto Summary: HCA is not required to provide an evaluation of the grant program to the Governor and the Legislature every other year.