SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1536

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

                                 APRIL 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Continuing hospice services an additional two years for medical assistance recipients.

SPONSORS:Representatives Anderson, Moyer, Sprenkle, Paris, Wynne, Jacobsen and Winsley.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

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

Staff:  Don Sloma (786‑7414)

Hearing Dates:March 28, 1991; April 1, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The 1990 Legislature extended optional Medicaid hospice benefits through the end of the current biennium.  Hospice is care provided to terminally ill patients.  The focus is on physical and psychological comfort rather than cure.  The objective is to keep the patient at home, with inpatient hospital care used only as necessary.

During the state fiscal year 1990, 26 Medicaid recipients elected hospice services.  Current law includes a provision for termination of the benefit on June 30, 1991.

SUMMARY:

This bill extends the optional Medicaid hospice benefit to June 30, 1993. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

An emergency is declared and the act takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

This is a cost effective, desired service.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Bob Anderson, Washington State Hospice Association (pro); Leslie F. James, Department of Social and Health Services (pro)