HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1095

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to waiving employee health care benefits.

Brief Description:  Allowing certain employees to waive health care benefits.

Sponsors:  Representatives Orr, Zellinsky, Mastin and Springer.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 11, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Dellwo, Chair; L. Johnson, Vice Chair; Dyer, Ranking Minority Member; Ballasiotes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Campbell; Conway; Cooke; Flemming; R. Johnson; Lisk; Mielke; Morris; Thibaudeau; and Veloria.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

Background:  Current law, RCW 41.05.050, requires state and local government entities to contribute to insurance plans of its employees and their dependents regardless if such an employee is covered by other plans.  The framer of this measure believes that such duplication of coverage is wasteful. 

Summary of Amended Bill:  RCW 41.05.050 is amended to permit members of the Washington State Legislature to waive public health insurance benefits if the employee benefits from a spouse's coverage or benefits are awarded by other employment.

The Washington State Health Care Authority is required to promulgate rules to implement this provision.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amended bill permits members of the Washington State Legislature to waive public health insurance benefits.  The original bill permitted public employees to waive public health insurance benefits.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Duplication of coverage is wasteful.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Orr, prime sponsor (pro); and Kristin West, Health Care Authority.