FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2603

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 296 L 90

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Vekich, Prentice, Brooks, Dellwo, O'Brien, Heavey, Basich, G. Fisher, Valle, Jacobsen, Wineberry, Leonard, Pruitt, Wang, Phillips, Winsley, Sprenkle, Kremen, Holland, Haugen, Hine, Wood, R. King, Moyer, Jones, Ebersole, Scott, Brekke, Morris, Todd and Spanel; by request of Governor Gardner)

Enhancing availability of medical care for children.

House Committe on Health Care

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care and Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Despite recent efforts to expand health care services for the uninsured, the number of persons without coverage continues to increase.  This has been a particular problem for children of low-income families that are not eligible for Medicaid or have no sponsored coverage through an employer.

Many communities lack the funds and the technical capability to expand health care coverage to the needed level.  Reimbursement for health care to low-income children is often considered inadequate by providers.

Presently, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is required to contract for an evaluation of the Maternity Care Access Program (First Steps).  The deadline for the completion of the evaluation is set for November 1, 1990.  The University of Washington has been conducting research on this subject for some time and is considered by many to be an excellent evaluator for the First Steps Program.

SUMMARY:

A new program is established within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to be known as the "children's health program."  Through this new program all children under the age of 18, with a household income at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level ($12,700 a year for a family of four) will be provided medical coverage in the same manner and scope as Medicaid.  The eligibility process is to be determined by DSHS.  Eligibility determination and time lines are to be the same as for Medicaid.

The program encourages communities to make health services more accessible to children in poverty.  Technical assistance and public funds are made available to help communities experiencing significant problems with access to health services for children. The Children's Health Services Committee is created, consisting of personnel from the departments of Social and Health Services and Health.  The committee,  in coordination with counties, is to identify counties that are experiencing significant problems with access to health care for low-income children.  DSHS is to advise such counties on ways to obtain funds and technical assistance.  Counties not so identified can independently seek funds and technical assistance from DSHS.  DSHS, after considering the recommendations of the committee, shall provide technical and financial assistance to the identified counties.

The counties and the Department of Health are to reevaluate the state of access to health care services for children and report to the State Board of Health for possible inclusion in the state health report.

Current law is amended to permit the state to provide health care services to children (under age 18) up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level.  The University of Washington is required to evaluate the Maternity Care Access Program (First Steps) and report annually to the Legislature until 1994.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 87   6

      Senate    48     0 (Senate amended)

      House             (House refused to concur)

Free Conference Committee

      Senate    46     0

      House 97   0

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The creation of a Children's Health Services Committee is deleted, along with the requirement that only county authorities may apply for technical assistance.  (See VETO MESSAGE)