HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5000
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:
April 12, 2019
Title: An act relating to online access to health care resources for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Brief Description: Concerning online access to health care resources for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
Sponsors: Senators Palumbo, Rivers, Cleveland, Conway, Saldaña and Kuderer.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care & Wellness: 3/7/19, 3/20/19 [DP];
Appropriations: 4/1/19, 4/8/19 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/12/19, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chambers, Davis, DeBolt, Harris, Jinkins, Maycumber, Riccelli, Robinson, Stonier, Thai and Tharinger.
Staff: Alyssa Patrick (786-7296) and Chris Blake (786-7392).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 32 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Bergquist, 2nd Vice Chair; Robinson, 1st Vice Chair; Stokesbary, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Rude, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Chandler, Cody, Dolan, Dye, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Hoff, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kraft, Macri, Mosbrucker, Pettigrew, Pollet, Ryu, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Steele, Sullivan, Sutherland, Tarleton, Tharinger and Ybarra.
Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).
Background:
Health Care Licensing Fees.
Washington state health practitioners are subject to licensing fees charged by the Secretary of Health (Secretary). In most cases, these fees are based on the cost to the Department of Health (Department) for activities related to licensure. Licensure of some health professions includes additional fees related to shared resources and regulatory activities. The Department's advisory committees, boards, and commissions may review fees established by the Secretary and comment upon their appropriateness for the profession.
Online Access to Health Care Resources.
The University of Washington (UW) provides specified health professions with online access to the health sciences library for selected clinical resources, medical journals, decision support tools, and evidence-based reviews of procedures, drugs, and devices. The online resource is called HEALWA, and currently serves more than 20 health professions. Practitioners within those professions must pay an additional annual licensing fee of up to $25 to the Department, which is transferred to the UW.
Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians.
Veterinarians practice medicine, surgery, or dentistry on animals, which includes diagnosing diseases and ailments, performing treatments, and prescribing drugs and treatment. Veterinary technicians assist with veterinary practice. Both veterinarians and veterinary technicians must be licensed by the Department.
Summary of Bill:
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians have online access to the University of Washington's health sciences library. An additional fee of up to $25 must be added to the annual licensing fees of these professionals to pay for this access.
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) There is strong support for this bill.
(Opposed) None.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations):
(In support) Authorization for online access to the health sciences library must be provided by the Legislature. Veterinarians and veterinary technicians overwhelmingly support being added to the list of professions with access. Access to these online services is a valuable resource.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): Greg Hanon, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.
Persons Testifying (Appropriations): Greg Hanon, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association; and Maggie Yuse, University of Washington Medicine.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): None.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations): None.