SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 2430

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 28, 1994

Brief Description:  Correcting an error concerning midwifery and birth center malpractice insurance.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Dyer, Zellinsky, Kessler, Romero, Jones and Springer; by request of Insurance Commissioner)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Deccio, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Prince, Sellar, Sutherland, Vognild and Wojahn.

Staff:  Catherine Mele (786‑7470)

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1994

BACKGROUND:

In 1993 the Legislature created a Joint Underwriting Association for Midwives and Birthing Centers.  The Insurance Commissioner approves a plan for the establishment of this nonprofit association, which is comprised of all insurance companies authorized by the Insurance Commissioner to write malpractice and casualty insurance.  The joint underwriting association makes malpractice insurance available to licensed midwives, certified nurse midwives or licensed birthing centers.

The joint underwriting association offers an insurance policy with liability limits of $1 million per individual and $3 million per occurrence.

SUMMARY:

The liability limits for malpractice insurance coverage under the Joint Underwriting Association for Midwives and Birthing Centers are changed.  Coverage is provided for up to $1 million per claim, $3 million per year, or other minimum levels of mandated coverage as determined by the Department of Health.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The technical corrections are needed to implement the underwriting association created in 1993.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Phil Dyer, original prime sponsor (pro); Walt Corneille, Melodie Bankers, Insurance Commissioner's office (pro); Martha Butzen, Midwives and Birth Center, Joint Underwriting Association Board (pro)