Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Ways & Means Committee |
HB 3048
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: Concerning administration of the medicaid program.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Armstrong and Pettigrew; by request of Governor Gregoire.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 2/1/10
Staff: Erik Cornellier (786-7116).
Background:
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS or Department) was created in statute in 1970. Current law specifies that DSHS administers state medical assistance programs that pay for health care for low-income state residents. Medical assistance is delivered primarily through the Medicaid program.
Washington's medical assistance programs provide health coverage for over one million individuals through fee-for-service and managed care plans. In fiscal year 2010 this includes:
approximately 680,000 children under the Apple Health for Kids program,
over 210,000 aged, blind, and disabled individuals, and
over 21,000 individuals under the General Assistance Unemployable program and the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Treatment and Support Act.
Most of these programs are jointly funded with state and federal matching funds. The 2009-11 operating budget includes approximately $3.6 billion in state funds and $5.2 billion in federal funds for medical assistance programs.
Summary of Bill:
The Governor may designate a single state Medicaid agency with the approval of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The DSHS is no longer specified as the agency that administers state medical assistance programs.
The designated agency would be required to submit reports to the Legislature starting in November 2012 instead of the November immediately following the Governor's designation.
Current law is amended to bring it into compliance with the respectful language requirements in RCW 44.04.280.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.