HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     SSB 5010

                              As Passed House

                               April 17, 1991

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;

Passed House, April 17, 1991, 94-0.

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).

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).

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.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

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

(Appropriations): Same as Committee on Health Care.

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

(Appropriations): Same as Committee on Health Care.

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

(Appropriations): Same as Committee on Health Care.