HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5010

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

                       Appropriations

Title:  An act relating to occupational therapy.

Brief Description:  Including occupational therapy coverage in the department of social and health services limited casualty program.

Sponsor(s):  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Moore, West and Conner).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, April 3, 1991, DP;

Appropriations, April 8, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:  Occupational therapists are licensed by the Department of Health to provide occupational therapy services, which are rehabilitative services to individuals suffering physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, and developmental or learning disabilities.

Currently, the Department of Social and Health Services reimburses for occupational therapy services provided to eligible adult clients under the Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid), as well as to eligible children under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program. Outpatient occupational therapy services are also reimbursable under the Limited Casualty Assistance Program for the medically needy and indigent.

However, the law does not specifically reference occupational therapy as a health service for these medical assistance programs.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Social and Health Services is specifically authorized to provide and reimburse for occupational therapy services under the state's Medical Assistance and Limited Casualty programs.

The act is declared null and void, however, if specific funding for these services is not provided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The bill will allow for cost efficient outpatient occupational therapy services for Medicaid patients.

Testimony Against:  The funding necessary to implement the bill is not in the governor's budget.

Witnesses:  Linda Thompson, Occupational Therapy Northwest (pro); and Redge Campbell, Washington Occupational Therapy Association (pro).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Inslee, Vice Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Belcher; Bowman; Braddock; Brekke; Dorn; Ebersole; Ferguson; Fuhrman; Hine; Holland; Lisk; May; McLean; Mielke; Nealey; Peery; Rust; H. Sommers; Valle; Vance; and Wang.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Health Care:  A section making the bill null and void unless funded in the budget is deleted.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Same as previous committee.

Testimony Against:  Same as previous committee.

Witnesses:  Same as previous committee.