SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6345

BYSenators Niemi, West, Wojahn, Smith, Bauer, Bender and Kreidler

Providing health care for foster children.

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 23, 1990; January 25, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  January 29, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE, JANUARY 25, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Due to reports of deterioration in the foster care program and alarming budget overruns, the Governor established a Task Force on Foster Care to review the foster care delivery system and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) policies.  The task force made 20 recommendations, including creation of a comprehensive health care system for foster children. 

The task force report established that children in foster care have an extremely high incidence of chronic, physical, emotional and academic problems.  Easy access to medical specialists and other professionals was recommended to address foster children needs.

The task force also found that the DSHS has provided poor direction, oversight and record-keeping of foster children's health needs.  Medical records were not usually available to foster parents or health providers.  Involvement of the biological parents was often overlooked in the provision of health care to their children during out-of-home placement.  Because of this lack of coordination, many easily treated health problems became acute or chronic before intervention.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Social and Health Services must establish a statewide program to provide and manage comprehensive health services for children in foster care.

The services shall include medical, dental, psychosocial, developmental and educational assessments.  Based on these assessments, foster children must be provided with:  health screening, supervision, and continuity of care; developmental and psychological screening; illness and emergency care; and child centered management plans.  Case management must be used to assure that continuity of care is provided.

DSHS must develop strategies for reimbursement which will use prospective payment or capitation formulas.  DSHS must collect data to:  assess the effect on the children and evaluate whether comprehensive services are more cost-effective than individually purchased services.  Data must be collected on health problems most prevalent in children in foster care.

The DSHS must conduct studies and report to the Legislature by December 1, 1992 on utilizing and designating Medicaid funds for the acquisition of comprehensive and preventive health services for children in foster care.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: John Neff, M.D., Children's Hospital and Medical Group (pro); Joyce Hopson, DSHS (pro)