HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1627

                       As Passed House

                      January 31, 1992

Title:  An act relating to provision of chiropractic services in industrial insurance.

Brief Description:  Including the provision of chiropractic services under industrial insurance.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Fuhrman, Heavey, R. King, Morris, McLean, Prentice, Ballard, R. Meyers, Jones, Pruitt, Van Luven, Kremen, Hochstatter, Nealey, P. Johnson, Wynne, Casada and Dorn.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 22, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 12, 1991, 98-0;

Passed House, January 31, 1992, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Lisk, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Franklin; Jones; R. King; O'Brien; Prentice; Vance; and Wilson.

Staff:  Chris Cordes (786-7117).

Background:  The Department of Labor and Industries administers and adjudicates workers' compensation claims under the state industrial insurance act.  The department's authority includes supervising the health care received by injured workers to ensure that workers are provided prompt, quality health care.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Labor and Industries' authority to supervise the provision of health care includes the care provided by chiropractors.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 8, 1991.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Under the Department of Labor and Industries workers' compensation rules, chiropractors are recognized as health care providers.  This bill confirms that status in the statute.

Testimony Against:  It is not clear what the effect of this bill will be.  The department has been studying the care offered by different providers, including chiropractors, and has identified some abuses.  The department should not be prevented from restricting the chiropractic services offered to injured workers where that is appropriate.

Witnesses:  Steve Wehrly and Geoffrey Masci, Washington Chiropractors Association (in favor); Courtney Nevitt, Department of Labor and Industries (in favor); Lee Eberle, Washington Self-Insurers Association (opposed); and Clif Finch, Association of Washington Business (with concerns).