HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6433

BYSenate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senators Rinehart, Johnson, Moore, Deccio and von Reichbauer)

Requiring health care insurance coverage for the food supplements necessary for the treatment of phenylketonuria.

House Committe on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Lux, Chair; Zellinsky, Vice Chair; Anderson, Betrozoff, Chandler, Crane, Dellwo, Dorn, Nutley, Silver and Winsley.

House Staff:John Conniff (786-7119)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (15)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Grimm, Hine, McLean, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle and Wang.

House Staff:      Dave Knutson (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Insurers are not required to provide coverage for the food supplements required in the treatment of phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited disorder found in newborn children which prevents them from metabolizing an essential amino acid.  If untreated, PKU children suffer severe mental and physical difficulties.

By taking a vitamin-enriched formula available without a doctor's prescription, the effects of PKU can be eliminated.

SUMMARY:

Subject to exceptions and requirements of the Insurance Commissioner, individual and group disability insurance policies, health care services contracts and health maintenance agreements issued or renewed on or after September 1, 1988, must provide coverage for the food supplements necessary for the treatment of PKU.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

Effective Date:This bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Financial Institutions & Insurance)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Jeff Larson, Disabilities Coalition; Shawn Coney, Parent.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Financial Institutions & Insurance)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Financial Institutions & Insurance)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  Mandating insurance coverage for PKU food supplements will prevent children from developing severe disabilities.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Financial Institutions & Insurance)  None Presented.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.