SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1400

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE,

                                MARCH 28, 1991

Brief Description:  Modifying grant criteria for rural health care projects.

SPONSORS:Representatives Morton, Grant, Fuhrman, Bray, Sprenkle, Morris, Chandler, Paris, Rasmussen, McLean, Forner and Rayburn; by request of Department of Health.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, L. Kreidler, Niemi, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Scott Plack (786‑7409)

Hearing Dates:March 27, 1991; March 28, 1991

BACKGROUND:

In 1989 the Legislature established the Washington Rural Health System project.  Current law sets the limit on the number of rural health sites that can be funded at six.  In 1990, the Department of Health (DOH) received applications for 18 potentially fundable projects.  Even if funds were available, the department would be unable to provide assistance unless the number limit was removed.  Also, current law provides for six additional "non-funded" sites to receive technical assistance from the DOH.  DOH feels these numbers are arbitrary and may discourage communities from applying for available assistance.

SUMMARY:

The number six is deleted from both provisions, allowing any number of projects to be funded consistent with appropriation.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will allow the department to serve more rural communities seeking to improve the delivery of health care.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Morton, prime sponsor (pro); Carole Washburn, Department of Health (pro); Les James, DSHS (pro)