HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2313
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. |
As Passed House:
February 13, 2018
Title: An act relating to providing the chiropractic quality assurance commission with additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing.
Brief Description: Providing the chiropractic quality assurance commission with additional authority over budget development, spending, and staffing.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody, Schmick, Caldier, Appleton, Pollet and Dolan.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 1/10/18, 1/17/18 [DP];
Appropriations: 2/1/18, 2/5/18 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/18, 98-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Graves, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Clibborn, DeBolt, Harris, MacEwen, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Rodne, Slatter, Stonier and Tharinger.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Jinkins.
Staff: Kim Weidenaar (786-7120).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 31 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Stokesbary, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Buys, Caldier, Cody, Condotta, Fitzgibbon, Graves, Haler, Hansen, Harris, Hudgins, Kagi, Lytton, Manweller, Pettigrew, Pollet, Sawyer, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Sullivan, Taylor, Tharinger, Vick and Wilcox.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Jinkins.
Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).
Background:
The regulation of the 86 health professions in Washington is divided between the Secretary of Health (Secretary), the 12 health professions' boards, and the five health professions' commissions. Responsibilities for licensing, examination, discipline, and rulemaking vary between the entities as do membership requirements. In 2008 the Medical Quality Assurance Commission and the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission were selected to participate in a pilot project to expand the responsibilities of the commissions. Although the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (Chiropractic Commission) was permitted to participate in the pilot project if the members of the commissions approved, the commission chose not to participate at that time.
In 2013 the Chiropractic Commission was again allowed to participate in a five-year pilot project. The Chiropractic Commission elected to participate and was allowed to hire its own executive director and permit the executive director to carry out the administrative duties of the Chiropractic Commission and manage the Department of Health staff that are assigned to the Chiropractic Commission. Under the pilot project, the Chiropractic Commission is responsible for establishing its own biennial budget, collaborating with the Secretary on credentialing fees, consulting with the Secretary on uniform rules and guidelines, and developing its own performance measures related to the consistent and timely regulation of health care professionals.
The Secretary and the Chiropractic Commission were required to report to the Governor and the Legislature by December 15, 2017, on the results of the pilot project, including its effectiveness compared to that of other disciplining authorities with respect to licensing and disciplinary activities, budgetary activity, and the ability to meet performance measures. The report recommended that the staffing and budgetary authority granted to the Chiropractic Commission under the pilot be made permanent.
The pilot is set to conclude on June 30, 2018.
Summary of Bill:
The expiration date of the pilot project that expands the authority of the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (Chiropractic Commission) is removed. The Chiropractic Commission is given permanent authority over all of the duties and responsibilities included in the pilot project.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Health Care & Wellness):
(In support) Over the past five years of the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission's (Chiropractic Commission) pilot project, the Chiropractic Commission and the Department of Health (Department) have had a great working relationship, which both entities expect to continue. The Department provides investigative and legal services to the Chiropractic Commission and also handles the complaint intake process, which will continue. One of the key benefits of the pilot was the hiring of an executive director, which has allowed the Chiropractic Commission to develop work groups to improve patient safety and pursue other efforts to improve the Chiropractic Commission.
Through the pilot project, the Chiropractic Commission has improved patient safety as well as efficiency in licensing. The Chiropractic Commission received the Wiley Outstanding Chiropractic Award which demonstrates that it is a standard of excellence model for all boards in the country.
The Department does not recommend any additional pilot projects as it has learned some best practices, which do not require the granting of additional authority and also provides the department flexibility.
(Opposed) None.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations):
(In support) This bill will allow the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) to retain the authority and staffing that it had under the pilot project. The Commission has achieved significant improvements in safety and patient standards. The Commission does not rely on the State General Fund to carry out its work. Both the Commission and the Department of Health recommend approval of this bill.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): Kristin Peterson, Department of Health; Aaron Chan, James Slakey, and Bob Nicoloff, Washington Chiropractic Assurance Commission; and Lori Grassi, Washington State Chiropractic Association.
Persons Testifying (Appropriations): James Slakey, Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): None.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations): None.