SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6114

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 11, 1992

Brief Description:  Concerning support enforcement of medical care costs.

SPONSORS: Senators Craswell, Stratton, Rasmussen, Roach, Cantu, Sellar and McDonald

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6114 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means. 

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Craswell, and Stratton.

Minority Report:  Do not substitute. 

      Signed by Senator Talmadge.

Staff:  Mich'l Prentice Needham (786‑7439)

Hearing Dates: January 28, 1992; February 7, 1992

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6114 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Hayner, Matson, Metcalf, Newhouse, L. Smith, and West.

Staff:  Cindi Holmstrom (786-7715)

Hearing Dates:February 10, 1992; February 11, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Social and Health Services has statutory authority to include reasonable pregnancy expenses in child support obligations.  Currently, the department does not actively seek reimbursement of prenatal expenses incurred under public assistance. 

Child support obligations include necessary food, clothing, shelter, education and health care.

SUMMARY:

Necessary health care is defined to include prenatal, delivery, and postnatal medical care relating to the birth of the child.

The Department of Social and Health Services is required to make every effort to collect reimbursement to the state for public assistance expenditures for prenatal, delivery and postnatal costs relating to the birth of the child.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Technical changes were made.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The bill is contingent upon funding in the budget.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

It is time to reconsider our policy on male reproductive responsibility.  Fathers should be responsible for the birth costs of their children.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Seeking reimbursement for birth expenses is a barrier to care for some women.  Requiring reimbursement for public assistance expenditures will result in inconsistent treatment.  Some families are eligible for public assistance medical insurance and some are not.  Those not eligible will be responsible for payment.

TESTIFIED:  Dr. Charles Wallner (pro); Sandi Gray, DOH, First Steps Clearinghouse (con); Sherilyn Casey, DOH, Parent Child Health Services (con); Elaine Conley, Community Health News (con); Bob Hoyden, POPS (con); Reid Johnson (con)