FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2380

                         C 102 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Modifying malpractice insurance coverage.

By House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Dellwo and Dyer).

House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  In 1993, Washington passed health care reform legislation.  One of the major reforms provides for definition of a Uniform Benefits Package, which is the minimum insurance benefits that must be offered to all Washington residents.  Several provisions relating to health care providers' liability take effect prior to when the major reforms occur. 

One of the changes made by health care reform requires that every licensed health care practitioner whose services are included in the Uniform Benefits Package must have malpractice insurance coverage by January 1, 1994, unless this insurance is not available.  The Department of Health must designate by rule the health professions that include independent practice and whether malpractice insurance is available to these practitioners.  The Uniform Benefits Package takes effect in 1995.

To obtain or renew medical malpractice insurance after July 1, 1994, health care practitioners must complete liability risk management training every three years.

Summary:  Health care practitioners who are licensed, certified or registered must have malpractice insurance by July 1, 1995 if this insurance is available.  The department must designate by rule what types of malpractice insurance coverage are acceptable.

Health care practitioners who complete risk management training any time in 1994 meet the statutory requirement and do not have to repeat this training for three years.

The Department of Health must report to the Legislature by December 1, 1994 on recommendations for implementing health care practitioner malpractice insurance requirements, especially: (1) whether exemptions should be provided; and (2) whether malpractice coverage provided by an employer is satisfactory.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  89 0

Senate 41 0 (Senate amended)

House  88 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  June 9, 1994